Aurelio Martinez among 12 killed in plane crash off Caribbean island

Aurelio Martinez, a famed and beloved musician and politician from Honduras, was among 12 killed in a plane crash Monday night in the Caribbean.

According to reports, Martinez, 56, was onboard a Lanhsa airlines Jetstream plane that crashed off the coast of Roatan, Honduras. The plane had just taken off from Roatan and had reportedly suffered a mechanical failure before going down in the ocean.

There were reportedly 17 people onboard, and five survived.

BLAST reported that Martinez was “a legendary Garifuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized.” While his career began as a star musician, the site noted that he moved into politics and was serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress.

Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade issued a statement, acknowledging his death.

“Belize joins Honduras in mourning the passing of Aurelio Matinez Sauzo, one of six victims who perished in a plane crash near Roatan, Honduras,’ the statement on X read. “Aurelio was a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garifuna culture and music. As a renowned Garifuna musician, Aurelia was a powerful voice in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Garinagu people.

“Aurelio, alongside Belize’s Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor were instrumental in bringing Garifuna music to global stage and international recognition,” the statement continued. His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.

“Belize expresses out deepest condolences to the government and people of Honduras amidst this tragedy and the Garifuna community worldwide.”