Honduras judge orders detention of 'El Gato Negro' in massacre case

A judge in Honduras has ordered the judicial detention of Carlos Mencías, known as El Gato Negro, who is accused of orchestrating the murder of 20 people on an African palm farm on May 21. The 27-year-old suspect appeared in court in La Ceiba, where an initial hearing was set for June 9.

Mencías will be held in a correctional facility for his own safety and physical integrity, according to judicial spokesperson Glen Flores. Judicial detention in Honduras is a pre-trial measure lasting up to six days, during which an initial hearing must determine if the accused will remain in custody. Mencías was apprehended on Tuesday based on an arrest warrant.

Police intelligence reports identify Mencías as the primary suspect in planning and executing the massacre in the Rigores sector of Colón, a department known for its conflict. Reports indicate that assailants dressed in police uniforms used pistols and assault rifles during the attack. Investigations are ongoing to identify other potential suspects.

The crime is believed to be connected to the theft of African palm fruit in Colón. This region has been significantly impacted by drug trafficking and a long-standing land dispute that has resulted in over 200 deaths in recent decades. The territorial conflict, dating back half a century, stems from the sale of land originally granted to farmers during an agrarian reform, which new generations of farmers now claim.