Beta Caceres

Berta Cáceres (1971-2016)

Early Life and Influences

Berta Isabel Cáceres Flores was born on March 4, 1971, in La Esperanza, Honduras, into a politically active family. Her mother Austra Berta Flores was a midwife and social activist involved in the Nicaraguan Sandinista movement, while her father Salvador Cáceres served as mayor. Growing up amidst political turmoil, Berta developed a deep commitment to social justice and indigenous rights.

Education and Activism

After studying education at the National Pedagogical University, Cáceres co-founded the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) in 1993. The organization became instrumental in defending Lenca territories against exploitative projects.

The Agua Zarca Dam Fight

Cáceres led a decade-long campaign against the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project on the sacred Gualcarque River. Her successful pressure on Sinohydro and the World Bank to withdraw earned her the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize.

Assassination and Legacy

Murdered on March 2, 2016, her case exposed corporate-military collusion. Seven convictions have been secured, but her family continues demanding full justice. Daughter Bertha Zúñiga Cáceres now leads COPINH, while the Berta Cáceres International Feminist Organizing School trains new activists.

"The Gualcarque River has spirits. The river is part of our Lenca identity. We must defend it!"

Political Context

Honduras remains deadly for environmental activists, with over 150 killed since 2009. The U.S.-backed coup created a climate of impunity favoring corporate interests over indigenous rights.

Lasting Impact

Cáceres' legacy inspires global movements for environmental justice. In 2022, the Honduran government posthumously awarded her the Order of José Cecilio del Valle, though critics note ongoing failure to protect activists.