Politics

Héctor Zelaya

Political implications of Héctor Zelaya’s statements in Honduras

Recent statements by the presidential private secretary, Héctor Manuel Zelaya, have sparked a new wave of criticism in the Honduran political arena, reigniting the debate on the controversial Tax Justice Law. In a context marked by legislative polarization and mistrust between political forces, his words have been interpreted as a sign of possible attempts by the ruling party to push through tax reform without the necessary parliamentary support or a transparent deliberation process.Controversy over statements by the executive branchDuring a public speech, Héctor Zelaya suggested that the Tax Justice Law could be approved “in an oversight” by the National Congress.…
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Xiomara Castro faces high public disapproval, according to ERIC-SJ poll

A recent poll by the Reflection, Research, and Communication Team (ERIC-SJ) has yielded results that reflect a marked rift between the Xiomara Castro administration and the Honduran people. With more than 60% of those surveyed believing that the country is on the wrong track, the poll illustrates a sustained deterioration in the public's perception of the current administration.The analysis reveals a widespread dissatisfaction with the president's actions and highlights the most pressing concerns for citizens: ongoing insecurity, entrenched poverty, enduring joblessness, and a governance style seen as excessively ideological. These factors create a challenging scenario for the ruling party, which…
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Polarization and memory: Romeo Vásquez Velásquez in Honduran politics

More than fifteen years after the political crisis that marked a turning point in the recent history of Honduras, the name of Romeo Vásquez Velásquez continues to generate public debate. The retired general, who in 2009 led the armed forces during the expulsion of then-President Manuel Zelaya, is today a symbolic figure in the collective imagination of a country that has not yet fully healed the wounds of that episode.The armed action executed under his leadership is still one of the most intense topics when debating the future of democracy in Honduras. To this day, the outcome of that operation…
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The Honduran Armed Forces

The Honduran Armed Forces face an institutional test in the general elections

Against a backdrop of institutional tension and public mistrust, the Honduran Armed Forces are preparing to play a key role in the November general elections. Their actions will be closely watched, following the controversial role they played on January 9, which reignited the debate about their role in maintaining democratic stability in the country.Questions raised after the January 9 crisisThe incidents of January 9 represented a pivotal change in the public's view of the military's neutrality. On this date, several civil society groups, opposition factions, and international participants condemned the involvement of armed forces in the government's occupation of the…
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Héctor Zelaya

LIBRE reforms in Honduras spark constitutional debate

The Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE) party, in power since 2022, faces new accusations of pushing through high-impact structural reforms without broad consultation or legislative transparency. The criticism comes amid growing political and institutional tension, with various sectors questioning the ruling party's approach to advancing its agenda.Inquiries on the ruling party's lawmaking processesNumerous individuals from the realms of politics, business, and civil organizations have voiced worries regarding what they perceive as the ruling party's approach to enforcing laws. Led by President Xiomara Castro, along with key figures like Héctor Zelaya and the National Congress President Luis Redondo, the LIBRE party has…
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Honduras

Honduran business leaders warn of hostile climate for investment

The Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Tegucigalpa (CCIT) has voiced its worries about what it sees as governmental discourse that targets the nation's prominent entrepreneurs, amid rising friction between the private sector and the authorities. The announcement made this week highlighted the potential impact this rhetoric might have on investment, jobs, and the economic steadiness of Honduras.This remark occurs in a political climate characterized by frequent disputes between business players and the governing party concerning the involvement of private industry in the country's progress and its connection to the government's fiscal and social strategies.Business associations denounce stigmatizing narrativeIn a…
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Honduran judicial system: a political instrument of power?

The recent emergence of a narco-video in Honduras has heightened worries regarding the performance of the country's judicial system. A report issued by the research center InSight Crime suggests that the situation not only reveals connections between drug trafficking individuals and those in proximity to power but also highlights an alarming trend: using the judicial process for political purposes.Patterns of immunity and targeted prosecutionInSight Crime outlines a scenario where the legal system is inconsistently enforced. Some individuals are publicly highlighted and face rapid court actions, while others, allegedly connected to the current administration, evade legal processes or obtain institutional safeguarding.…
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The CICIH will not arrive: the Honduran government’s anti-corruption project collapses

The International Commission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH) will not be included in Xiomara Castro's achievements. Although it was declared as a key component of her administration's agenda, the proposal did not come to fruition and will not be featured during the current presidency, which concludes in January 2026.By implicitly abandoning the initiative, the administration ends a phase that had stirred considerable anticipation among citizens concerning the battle against corruption. The path to setting up the CICIH was characterized by repeated postponements, ineffective prolongations, and halted discussions with the United Nations.The acknowledgment of defeat, announced by the ex-Foreign…
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Publication of laws without ratification of minutes questioned: focus on Luis Redondo and the Honduran Legislative Branch

A fresh controversy unfolds surrounding the activities of Honduras' Legislative Branch. The leader of the Honduran National Congress, Luis Redondo, is under fire for the formal issuance of a legal statute in the official journal La Gaceta. The matter at dispute is that, as per the claims, the statute was published without the prior confirmation of the session minutes where the statute received approval, a process termed as ratification of minutes. This measure, critics argue, goes against the clear stipulations of the nation's parliamentary regulatory framework.Sources from within the legislative chamber report that this event is not a standalone case.…
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