We first arrived in Trujillo, Honduras, in 1996, drawn by the beauty of the north coast and the warmth of all its people, including the Garifuna community. Shortly after, we purchased land, visiting regularly, building relationships with the local community (including multiple generations of a Honduran family), and finally, in 2014, constructing our beautiful home. Over the years, we furnished and improved it, creating what we envisioned as our perfect retirement and vacation spot. We also developed meaningful connections, supporting local initiatives and fostering friendships that cross all backgrounds.
When we first purchased our land, we did so with clear assurances from our lawyers of legal title, registered formally in Honduras. At that time, we were unaware of any disputes around ancestral land claims. However, in recent years, we’ve observed increasing tension as some Garifuna groups, led by OFRANEH, have taken action to reclaim land they assert as ancestral territory. This has included occupying foreign-owned properties in the region, leading to complex legal battles.
In May, a large OFRANEH-led group occupied a neighboring property at Campo del Mar, with whom we share a road. This action has impacted access to our home and the home of another family whose property we have been managing until its sale. Access to both properties was blocked, including for our gardener and security personnel, making upkeep impossible. As a result, the jungle has already started to reclaim the land we had carefully maintained.
This situation has left us in limbo. We remain uncertain about the status of our home, machinery (such as an expensive generator and pool equipment), and contents, everything valued at over $400,000 (excluding the land itself). While we’ve heard reports of neighboring properties being entered, we don’t know if our home has been affected in the same way. It’s painful to feel disconnected from a place we love, one where we have invested not only money but also years of care and community support.
We respect the historical ties of the Garifuna to this land and understand the importance of addressing these issues with respect and fairness. However, reclaiming developed, privately held land without compensation for the extensive improvements seems, from our perspective, unfair and at odds with our understanding of legal property rights.
We are hopeful that a fair solution can be found—one that honors the Garifuna heritage while respecting legitimate investments made by those who, like us, were unaware of these issues when we first arrived. Honduras’s future as a destination for investment and tourism depends on resolving these challenges in a way that balances history with hope for a shared, prosperous future. We remain optimistic that open dialogue and mutual respect can lead to a peaceful resolution.
So, here’s to hoping we can share a more positive update soon—one that encourages visitors and future investment in this beautiful country.
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