Who Killed Berta Caceres?: Dams, Death Squads, and an Indigenous Defender's Battle for the Planet

"Who Killed Berta Cáceres?: Dams, Death Squads, and an Indigenous Defender's Battle for the Planet" unravels the compelling and tragic narrative of Berta Cáceres, an indomitable indigenous leader and environmental activist. Published on June 2, 2020, this work by journalist Nina Lakhani draws from extensive research, including over a hundred interviews and numerous confidential documents, to deliver a poignant portrait of Cáceres's life and her relentless battle against formidable corporate and governmental forces in Honduras. Her story is a beacon of resilience as she spearheaded the campaign against the construction of a hydroelectric dam threatening the sacred lands of her Lenca people, a feat that won her the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2015. Tragically, her activism also marked her for assassination, culminating in her untimely death in 2016. Lakhani's dedication shines through as she attends the 2018 trial of Cáceres’s murderers, revealing a tangled web of corruption and impunity. This book is essential reading for college students studying social justice, indigenous rights, and environmental justice, offering a profound look into how global and local power dynamics intersect with the rights of indigenous communities. It challenges readers to reflect on the price of activism and the ongoing struggle for environmental and indigenous rights.