National News

The Medical College of Honduras and the Health Ministry are negotiating over physician demands including back pay and job security, with proposals now being reviewed by union members while doctors maintain informational assemblies at hospitals nationwide.

The Public Ministry removed General Ramiro Muñoz Bonilla as head of the National Anti-Narcotics Directorate (DLCN) and appointed Commissioner Ever Danilo Mejía Mejía, who has over 30 years of experience in security and criminal investigation, including 17 years working with US agencies including the DEA and FBI.

Honduras will cut gasoline and kerosene prices by more than four lempiras per gallon starting June 8, while domestic liquefied gas remains frozen under a government subsidy.

A judge has ordered the return of 81 vehicles and four properties to former Police Subcommissioner Jorge Barralaga, who was acquitted of money-laundering charges after spending five and a half years in custody; his defense contests the sale of 23 seized vehicles at below-market prices.

Honduran defender Andy Najar of Nashville SC has been selected to the MLS All-Star team that will face Mexico's Liga MX stars on July 29 in Charlotte, joining Argentina's Lionel Messi and South Korea's Son Heung-Min.

A draft law to be sent to Congress on June 10 would create a Judicial Council to handle administrative functions—hiring, promotions, and discipline—with safeguards against nepotism, conflicts of interest, and political interference, separating those duties from the Supreme Court's judicial role.

The government and teacher unions have agreed on a salary increase to be paid retroactively from May, with implementation beginning in June and a fourteenth-month bonus scheduled for July, ending planned informational assemblies.

Honduras has recorded 832 traffic fatalities so far in 2026, with motorcyclists accounting for 46% of deaths and young drivers aged 18–32 most at risk, according to the National Traffic Authority.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $81.1 million in its June 5 currency sale, setting the average exchange rate at L26.6842 per dollar effective through June 8.

Once Noticias's health program will feature neurologist Dr. Odessa Reyes on June 8 to discuss Alzheimer's symptoms, diagnosis, and early warning signs, with live Q&A via WhatsApp.

Honduras has accumulated $1.027 billion in net international reserves since late January, with import coverage now at 6.5 months, the Central Bank reports.

Honduras coach Francisco Molina said his team came to compete against Argentina as a whole, not just Messi, and will deploy its own tactical approach despite the difficulty of facing one of the world's best teams.

Honduras's Supreme Court ruled 8–7 in favor of the state power utility ENEE, blocking a $11.9 million payment owed to private electricity company Hidrocel in a civil dispute that dates back to 2019.

Olimpia announced a two-match US tour in July, playing Houston Dynamo on July 11 and FC Cincinnati on July 15 as part of preseason preparation for the 2026–2027 Honduran league and Concacaf Central American Cup.

Teacher leaders met with President Nasry Asfura to press for payment of a pending salary adjustment and other labor agreements, warning that nationwide classroom suspensions will continue if demands are not met.

The Medical College of Honduras and Health Ministry agreed to strengthen dialogue channels to address physician demands, but doctors will continue informational assemblies at healthcare facilities while consulting union members on any agreements.

A potato farmer from San Juan del Rancho selling at capital-area markets reports that potato prices have risen by 5 lempiras.

Honduras remained 66th with 1,380.27 points in FIFA's updated rankings ahead of World Cup 2026, as Argentina regained the top spot and Mexico climbed to 14th after a 5–1 win over Serbia.

Honduras has renewed 70,000 acres of coffee plants through a program coordinated by the Agriculture Ministry and the Institute for Honduran Coffee, with officials projecting output will rise to 7 million quintals this harvest from 6.14 million the prior year.

Honduras faces potential US tariffs of 10–12.5% if a US trade office investigation finds forced labor in supply chains, though the government says no specific cases have been identified and frames compliance as an opportunity to strengthen labor inspection and supply-chain transparency.

The Tegucigalpa Chamber of Commerce forecasts that payments of the traditional 14th-month bonus will pump approximately L24.9 billion (about $1 billion USD) into the public and private sectors combined.

All major petroleum products will drop in price starting June 9, with kerosene falling 4.14 lempiras per gallon and regular gasoline declining 3.45 lempiras per gallon, as the Energy Ministry attributes the cuts to lower international oil prices following Middle East tensions.

Uber drivers held a demonstration on Friday seeking government approval to operate legally, citing lack of employment opportunities in their traditional professions.

Honduras's currency depreciated again on June 5, with the central bank's daily forex auction setting the dollar at L26.67 for purchase and L26.80 for sale, continuing a sustained slide blamed on IMF-backed exchange-rate policy adjustments.

Honduras's meteorological service (Cenaos) forecasts strong thunderstorms and heavy rain across several regions on Friday.

The US deported 17,650 Hondurans in the first five months of 2026, a 71% increase from the same period last year, as the country grapples with the return of migrants who left due to violence, poverty, and lack of opportunity.

The ATIC (Honduras's anti-trafficking unit) arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor.

Honduras's Energy Ministry announced Friday that fuel prices will fall effective Monday, June 8, with decreases across refined products.

President Asfura introduced a bill to modernize ENEE, Honduras's state electric company, through operational restructuring aimed at recovering more than 16 billion lempiras annually in system losses that could be redirected to health, education, roads, and social programs.

A draft law sent to Congress would restructure Honduras's electric system by splitting state utility ENEE into a holding company, creating an independent system operator, and opening the market to new generators and retailers, with experts projecting potential savings of $3.6 billion.