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June 02, 2025 – Salvador –
Salvadoran journalist Javier Antonio Hércules Salinas was fatally shot in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras, despite being under state protection since 2023. Hércules, who worked for the television channel A Todo Noticias, was ambushed by gunmen while driving his taxi—a side job he took to support his family. He had been living in Honduras for five years with his wife and children.
Hércules had previously survived a kidnapping attempt in 2023, which led to his enrollment in Honduras’ Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders, Justice Operators, and Journalists. However, this system failed to safeguard him. Dina Maza, executive director of the Association for Democracy and Human Rights (Asopodehu), attributed his murder to his journalistic work, noting that in Copán, the intersection of drug trafficking, organized crime, and political interests creates a perilous environment for reporters.
The timing of Hércules’ murder, just months before Honduras’ November 2025 elections, has raised concerns about escalating violence against journalists amid political tensions. The Honduran College of Journalists (CPH) reports that over 100 journalists have been killed since 2001, with 95% of these cases remaining unsolved, highlighting a pervasive culture of impunity.
CPH President Juan Carlos Sierra condemned the killing and called for a transparent investigation, expressing heartbreak over the Protection Mechanism’s failure to prevent Hércules’ death. Honduras’ Secretary of Human Rights, Longino Becerra, also urged justice for both the perpetrators and those who ordered the attack.
Hércules’ death underscores the urgent need for effective protections for journalists in Honduras and the broader Central American region. His murder serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists and the critical importance of safeguarding press freedom.
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