The International Delegation in Solidarity with the Camp for the Life of the Garífuna Peoples – composed of more than 30 human rights defenders and journalists from Latin America and Europe, learned of the eviction threat against the camp set up by the communities organized under OFRANEH in Playa Uva, Cayo Menor, Cayo Cochinos, to protect the communities’ right to their territory and to protect the environment.
The reality show Supervivientes, produced by the Spanish television network Tele 5, is currently being filmed in this community. The production involves the companies Mediaset, MFE-MediaForEurope (a Dutch company) and the Banijay Group (a French multinational company). Sociedad de Inversiones Ecológicas, S.A. (SIEC) is also active in this community. SIEC’s main investor is Fundación Azteca Honduras, financed by Grupo Salinas, which is owned by Ricardo Salinas Pliego.
The “preventive eviction” order for 17 September 2026 was issued by the Criminal Court of First Instance, which has national jurisdiction over organized crime, environmental matters and corruption. This is yet antoher act of violence against the camp set up in Cayos Cochinos. In recent days, there have been threats to burn tents, sleeping mats and other camp supplies, as well as the deployment of a large police presence, which resulted in the assault agianst three women defenders.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has issued four rulings in favor of the Garífuna Peoples since 2015: the ruling on the Punta de Piedra and Triunfo de la Cruz cases in 2015, the ruling regarding the San Juan community in 2023, and the recent ruling on Cayos Cochinos. All of them recognize the right to collective ownership, the Garífuna Peoples’ ancestral right to that territory, and the right to free, prior and informed consent. The eviction order violates the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ rulings and leaves the Garífuna communities, which are constantly affected by these companies, highly vulnerable. For example, the filming of the reality show has led to a ban on fishing — one of the communities’ main sources of livelihood — and has disrupted sea turtle nesting, among other impacts.
As an international delegation, we condemn this latest act of violence against the Garífuna Peoples and demand that the State of Honduras rescind the eviction order, fulfill its obligation to protect the Garífuna Peoples and comply with the rulings of the Inter-American Court.
We will remain vigilant and demand that our governments reject these acts that violate international treaties and agreements, and compel the companies involved to fulfill their corporate social responsibility obligations.