Overview

• Aurelio Martínez, a prominent Honduran musician and champion of Garifuna culture, died in a plane crash near Roatán, Honduras, on March 17, 2025, alongside 12 others.
• Martínez was instrumental in bringing Garifuna music to international audiences, blending traditional sounds with African, Caribbean, and Latin influences.
• He was the first Afro-Honduran elected to the National Congress in 2005, where he advocated for the rights of the Garifuna people before returning to music after 2008.
• His acclaimed albums, including 'Garifuna Soul' (2004) and 'Lándini' (2014), earned him recognition as a cultural ambassador and innovator in world music.
• Tributes from figures like Peter Gabriel and cultural organizations highlight Martínez’s legacy as an artist, advocate, and voice for the Garifuna community.