Browse Honduras Daily Stories

Honduras dropped three places to rank 67th out of 165 countries in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, despite a slight score improvement, and ranks weakest in Central America save Nicaragua, with particular weakness in legal systems and property rights.

Honduras's labor ministry released lists of 2,869 candidates selected for final interviews starting October 12 to fill 2,000–3,000 temporary agricultural jobs in Spain offering contracts up to nine months and monthly pay exceeding €1,200.

Rice producers warn the 2026 harvest could fall to just 150,000–160,000 quintals (about 6,800–7,300 metric tons), down from 446,000 in 2025, due to lack of price supports and competition from imports, leaving farmers unable to finance seeds and inputs.

Honduras's temporary L12.01-per-gallon diesel subsidy, running October 5–November 4, will cost the state approximately 369 million lempiras (about $15 million), according to a National Autonomous University analysis; drivers using 40 gallons monthly will save roughly 480 lempiras.

The Central Bank of Honduras allocated $99.4 million in its October 6 currency auction, setting a weighted average exchange rate of L 26.89 per dollar for the week of October 7–12.

The World Bank projects Honduras will grow 3.4% this year, placing it sixth among Central American and Caribbean nations in the Sica system, behind the Dominican Republic (4.7%) and El Salvador (4.5%).

The director of Consumer Protection said inspectors are conducting volume tests at fuel stations to verify that gas pumps dispense the stated amount, and checking that LPG cylinders contain correct volumes and that the diesel tax cut is applied countrywide.

A Consulting HNL analysis shows that between 2016 and 2026, Honduras cut 10,180 public jobs yet increased wage spending by 114% (over L62 billion), raising questions about salary levels and government efficiency.

Honduras's tax authority is offering amnesty through October 12 for taxpayers to regularize overdue obligations under Decree 07-2026 without fines, interest, or surcharges for unpaid taxes and filings due by December 31, 2025.

Through nearly ten months of fiscal 2026, the Honduran government has executed L284.8 billion of L446.4 billion budgeted, leaving about 36% unspent with fewer than three months remaining in the year.

Finance Minister Emilio Hernández Hércules says the government is reviewing the current budget to reduce operational spending and redirect funds to investment, with electronic invoicing planned for 2027 to curb tax evasion.

Fausto Cálix, former Customs director and Libre party leader, claims a new technical standard for imported cement is eliminating competition from China, raising domestic prices from 160–180 lempiras per bag to around 230 lempiras and harming the construction sector.

Honduras's housing bank published 2026 financing terms for social and mid-range homes, with social housing at up to 1.2 million lempiras (about $48,000) at 4% over 30 years and mid-range homes at up to 2.5 million lempiras (about $100,000) at 7% over 30 years.

Honduras's MIPYMES federation president José Castañeda endorsed the government's plan to reduce operating expenses while redirecting resources to productive infrastructure, citing poor road conditions and a growing public-sector labor liability that drains budgets with each administration.

Fernando García, president of the National Industrialists Association, called on the government to pursue long-term structural reforms—improving roads, overhauling public transport, and controlling subsidies—rather than temporary measures to address rising fuel costs.

The Finance Ministry is reviewing the 2027 budget to shift resources from administrative spending toward investment projects and priority areas including security, energy, and drought response, while managing pressures from fuel and electricity subsidies.

Falling milk production nationwide and rising operational costs—driven by drought, heat, and expensive fuel—are pressuring dairy product prices, with cheese prices already rising by one lempira this week.

Intercity bus fares across Honduras have risen an average of 17.25% ahead of the Morazán holiday weekend, with passengers paying significantly more as fuel prices increase transportation costs.

The government will absorb the ACPV fuel tax on diesel for 30 days to ease high fuel costs, but the National Association of Industrialists warns the subsidy is temporary and says structural solutions—infrastructure, technology, and efficiency—are needed to address rising global oil prices.

Honduras's private banking system reached an all-time high of 207.9 billion lempiras in liquid reserves as of August 2026, a 28.6% increase from a year earlier, giving banks greater capacity to extend credit at stable interest rates.

Judicial claims against the Honduran government reached 29,484 as of June 2026, up 3,888 from a year earlier, driven largely by public-sector layoffs and straining the nation's contingent liabilities to 24.2% of GDP.

Honduras's taxi association (ATAXUH) is staging a sit-in on Tuesday on Boulevard La Amistad in the Atlantic zone, demanding a six-month freeze on fuel taxes and government installation of LPG systems in all taxis.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $103.3 million in a foreign-currency sale on October 5, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.8920 per dollar for October 6.

Economist Germán Dubón says a diesel subsidy could help stabilize transport and distribution costs for basic goods, though he warns the measure will cost the state roughly 77 billion lempiras (about $3.1 billion), equivalent to 30–40% of the Health Ministry budget.

Honduras produces about 80,000 quintals (roughly 3,600 metric tons) of cardamom annually, with more than half exported for over $16 million in foreign exchange, making it an increasingly important agricultural commodity for the western and Atlantic coast regions.

The government will temporarily waive the ACPV tax on diesel—12 lempiras per gallon—from October 5 to November 4, absorbing the cost to shield transport and consumers from rising international fuel prices.

Economic analysts say Honduras should finance its temporary diesel-tax exemption—costing 300–400 million lempiras monthly—through government spending cuts and remote work in the public sector, rather than new debt or social-program reductions.

The Central Bank's Global Real Exchange Rate Index fell 1.32% year-over-year in August, indicating Honduran exports maintain improved price competitiveness against major trading partners.

Honduras's Energy Ministry raised premium-gasoline prices effective October 5, while freezing diesel costs and subsidizing 70% of regular-gasoline increases to cushion household impact against international fuel pressures.

Starting October 5, the Honduran government will absorb L12.01 per gallon of diesel for 30 days to cushion consumers from rising global fuel prices, while also maintaining existing subsidies on regular gasoline and cooking gas.