Penal Reform

Honduras lawmakers are advancing criminal-justice reforms targeting gangs and maras that human-rights experts warn echo authoritarian measures from Nicaragua under Ortega and security policies in El Salvador, citing concerns over warrantless home searches and extended detention periods.

Congress president Tomás Zambrano announced plans to approve 10 to 12 anti-crime decrees, funded jointly by the government and legislature, targeting gangs and organized crime.

A congressman has proposed raising prison terms to 2–5 years for impaired drivers of light vehicles and 5–10 years for heavy vehicles, with the stated goal of reducing traffic deaths tied to alcohol and drug use.

A congressional committee approved a bill that would impose life sentences and other severe penalties for killing or attempting to kill police, soldiers, judges, and other security and justice officials in connection with their duties, with the measure now headed to a floor vote.

A bill before Congress would raise femicide sentences to 25–30 years (or 30–40 for aggravated cases), create specialized courts nationwide to handle gender-violence crimes, and broaden the legal definition of power imbalance between men and women.