National News

Honduras's health ministry is monitoring a nationwide increase in diarrheal and stomach infections in children and adults, with tests still under way to identify the cause, and urges hand hygiene and food safety precautions.

Congress President Tomás Zambrano declared that privatization of the national electricity company ENEE is entirely off the table, saying proposed reforms to energy law aim instead to stabilize the utility's finances and resolve the country's power crisis.

The Central Bank of Honduras forecasts full-year 2026 GDP growth of 3 to 4 percent, supported by agricultural exports and household consumption, though the outlook depends heavily on global oil and coffee prices and international trade tensions.

Honduras's international reserves rose $1.26 billion to $11.56 billion in the first six months of 2026, a gain President Asfura credits to fiscal discipline and responsible management of public resources.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $96.2 million in its August 3 currency sale, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.8003 per dollar for August 4.

The Health Ministry says it has performed over 4,000 surgeries in six months and spent roughly 160 million lempiras (about $6.4 million) on medicines and supplies as part of efforts to reduce surgical backlogs and improve hospital care nationwide.

Honduran cacao is gaining international traction, with Switzerland and the United States among its largest buyers; Allen González, founder of Avenida Cacao, says better use of trade agreements could boost chocolate exports and create jobs for rural farmers and small processors.

Honduras's 2026 school calendar calls for student evaluations throughout August, with the first breaks coming in September for Independence Day (September 16) and Teachers' Day (September 17), followed by the Morazánica Week holiday starting September 28.

Panama defeated Honduras 4-0 in the Concacaf Pre-Olympic tournament in Puebla, Mexico, advancing to the quarterfinals.

A legislative commission met with prosecutors to strengthen investigation procedures and prevention strategies against child and adolescent sexual abuse in schools, with 2025 data showing 1,082 reported cases across six major cities.

Honduras's net international reserves reached $11.7 billion as of July 31, up $1.4 billion since late January, providing 6.8 months of import coverage, the central bank reported.

A new executive decree prohibits the importation of merchandise produced in whole or part through forced or compulsory labor, requiring businesses to verify international suppliers meet labor standards and strengthen due-diligence practices.

The national utility ENEE will cut power on August 4 across neighborhoods in Yoro, Cortés, Santa Bárbara, Copán, and Ocotepeque for scheduled maintenance work on electrical circuits, with outages lasting four to six hours depending on the zone.

Honduras's National Congress voted 98–0 to investigate and dismantle clandestine abortion services operating on social media, approving a motion by Congress president Tomás Zambrano despite criticism from women's-rights groups.

About 50 restaurants closed nationwide in July as rising costs for utilities, supplies, and labor combined with weak consumer demand and municipal red tape, threatening roughly 2,000 jobs, the Gastronomic Association of Honduras says.

Tropical waves will bring scattered to moderate showers nationwide through August 9, with heaviest rain expected Friday and Saturday, and brief dry periods Wednesday and Sunday, according to Cenaos forecasters.

A severe drought linked to El Niño has killed over 200 cattle, wiped out grain harvests, and significantly reduced milk and meat production in major farming regions, with grain losses estimated at 2–3 million quintals (about 90,000–135,000 metric tons) of corn and beans.

More than 10,000 public employees, many of them Libre-party hires, have been fired under the controversial Economic Reactivation Law since February 2026, and labor unions report that as of late July many have not received their legally mandated severance payments.

Honduras's FVS VAR system lost signal during a Honduran national-league match on August 2, causing a seven-to-eight-minute delay to review a goal by Estrella Roja's Óscar Rosales, which was ultimately disallowed for offside.

Motagua defeated Juticalpa 3-0 in the first match of Honduras's Apertura 2026 season, the top-flight spring tournament.

Honduras has sanctioned 10,752 police officers and security officials between 2018 and mid-2026, with 4,500 dismissed; data shows an average of 9–10 officers fired weekly, though many cases remain stuck in administrative processes despite suspected ties to organized crime.

Courts ordered 548 seized properties returned during Rebeca Obando's three years leading Honduras's Supreme Court—nearly triple the 185 returned under her predecessor—with many assets returned in deteriorated condition, prompting lawsuits against the state asset office.

Teenager Jeremy Rodríguez scored twice in the 16th and 17th minutes as Olimpia defeated Lobos UPNFM 2–0 in the opening match of the 2026 Apertura season at the National Stadium.

Honduras's telecommunications regulator launched a spectrum auction for three 20 MHz blocks in the 1700/2100 MHz band, with bidding on August 26 at $8 million per block, aimed at expanding 4G coverage and preparing infrastructure for future 5G deployment.

Defender Valerio Marinacci suffered a contusion to his right ankle during his first start for Motagua in the opening match of the Apertura 2026 tournament against Juticalpa and was substituted out; reports suggest a two- to three-week recovery.

Honduras's migration authority is deploying extra staff and extending hours at key border crossings from July 31 to August 9 to handle an expected 20,000–25,000 Salvadoran visitors during El Salvador's August holidays.

Diesel prices have surged 69.8% since January to L141.67 per gallon and premium gasoline 49.6%, with another increase taking effect August 3 that economists warn will drive up transport and food costs.

Honduras plays Panama on August 1 in the third round of the Concacaf U-20 World Cup qualifier, needing a victory to advance to the quarterfinals and keep alive its chances of reaching the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

Police have neutralized at least 10 self-kidnapping hoaxes from January through July, in which perpetrators—often family members—fake abduction to extort money, documents, or property from relatives, a crime criminologists attribute to eroding social values and economic desperation.

A tropical wave moving across Honduras on Monday will bring scattered showers up to 20 millimeters in the eastern and central mountain regions, but El Niño conditions will limit relief from the ongoing water deficit.