Security Deputy Minister visits Roatán after death of protected witness

Honduran Deputy Minister of Security Rommel Martínez has traveled to Roatán to oversee investigations following the death of Dereck McNeil. McNeil was a protected witness in the high-profile disappearance case of Angie Peña.

Martínez stated that a robust deployment of local investigation units has been initiated, supplemented by additional teams sent to collect evidence against those responsible. To strengthen the process, prosecutors from the Ministry of Public Affairs have also been integrated into the investigation.

The Deputy Minister noted that authorities are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry and are not limiting themselves to a single hypothesis. While promising a “satisfactory response” from the state, Martínez requested time for the investigation to mature and consolidate necessary evidence.