Blackouts

Experts debated Honduras's urgent need for electricity-sector reform, warning that failure to reach consensus by July will worsen blackouts, increase public debt, and deter foreign investment, as lawmakers disagree over whether new utilities should remain state-owned or allow private investment.

Congress President Tomás Zambrano announced that lawmakers have reached consensus on electricity-industry reforms and may hold a final vote next Tuesday, citing annual losses exceeding 16 billion lempiras at the state utility and chronic blackouts affecting Honduras more severely than neighboring countries.