Honduran authorities have arrested a U.S. citizen, Rennie Michael Ugalde in Tela Bay for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of the four Garifuna men from Triunfo.
But other than having weapons in his house and some military uniforms in his possession, authorities haven't explained what the man's connection is. They say an investigation is still underway.
But there are a few things worth noting:
1. When Honduran authorities are under pressure after a crime receives a lot of national and international attention, they put on a show and arrest anyone to make it look like they are acting, doing something, and investigating. And often, after the attention dies down, the people are released when no evidence of their involvement is provided.
2. If this guy is involved, he clearly didn't act alone. Reports of police and military involvement in the forced disappearance have not been addressed. And there was more than just one kidnapper.
3. There are powerful people and businesses that have every interest in terrorizing the Garifuna communities in Tela Bay including Triunfo de la Cruz. Snider Centeno was an outspoken leader fighting against the global tourist industry allied with powerful and wealthy families in Honduras. Centeno was defending his community's collective and ancestral land rights. An investigation into the Honduran government's role in not only the kidnapping but also the context in which the kidnappings occurred, is absolutely necessary and important. The Honduran government has violated the Garifuna's land rights for decades.
We originally posted the wrong article, this is the correct one: