Urban Development

Civil-society organizations and lawmakers in Cortés are challenging the Forestry Conservation Institute's plan to redefine the boundaries of the El Merendón protected forest reserve, arguing it would benefit private real-estate projects while the reserve supplies 80% of San Pedro Sula's water and is vital to regional biodiversity.

A proposed law would authorize the municipality of Villanueva (Cortés) to borrow 300 million lempiras (about $12 million) for a municipal administrative center, cultural complex, market for small vendors, sports stadium, road paving, and stormwater drainage.