Browse Honduras Daily Stories

Former president Juan Orlando Hernández's attorney said he will use technical consultants to refute money-laundering accusations at a hearing scheduled for August 3, when Hernández is set to appear before a judge.

Honduras's Supreme Court suspended the arrest warrant and international alert against former president Juan Orlando Hernández from July 20 to August 3, when a hearing on fraud and money-laundering charges is scheduled.

Former president Juan Orlando Hernández will return to Honduras in August 2026 to appear before the Supreme Court of Justice as part of ongoing judicial proceedings against him.

Honduras's Supreme Court approved a procedural protocol to speed up the return of children illegally taken out of or brought into the country, implementing the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction that Honduras ratified in 1993.

Honduras's new Agro-Industrial Strengthening and Protection Law declares registered farmland, livestock, energy, and tourism properties legally protected against invasion or occupation, while exempting indigenous territories unless prior free-consent consultation is completed.

The Public Ministry opened an investigation into former Attorney General Johel Zelaya for allegedly signing illegal contracts and unconstitutional actions that led to his removal through a political trial, with authorities seeking phone data.

The legal representative of former President Juan Orlando Hernández has asked the Supreme Court to revoke the arrest warrant against him, arguing that Hernández is willing to voluntarily submit to judicial proceedings and poses no flight risk.

Honduras's Constitutional Court granted an amparo (constitutional remedy) to former judge Marco Antonio Vallecillo and ordered an appeals court to issue a new, properly reasoned ruling on his pretrial detention in an extortion case, finding the original decision violated due process.

A defamation complaint filed by lawyer Cossette López against Marlon Ochoa has been sent to trial court after reconciliation failed; Ochoa was removed as a National Electoral Council member in April following a congressional impeachment vote.

Honduras will hold an international public auction of its Embraer Legacy 600 presidential aircraft on July 10, with proceeds to fund health and education projects; the plane was purchased in 2014 for over $14.7 million and is now estimated to fetch $8–10 million.

The full bench of Honduras's Supreme Court will decide a constitutional appeal filed by retired General Romeo Vásquez Velásquez, after the Constitutional Chamber failed to reach unanimous agreement on the case filed in January 2025; his defense hopes for a favorable ruling that would overturn an arrest warrant against him.

Honduras inaugurated the UN-backed International Year of Women Farmers 2026 to recognize rural women's role in food production and address gaps in their access to land, credit, and technology, with data showing only 12% own land and 70% lack formal bank credit.

Congresswoman Iroshka Elvir says the Public Ministry is investigating journalist Armando Villanueva for alleged gender-based violence and defamation, and that she has been summoned to testify about verbal assaults she says occurred over several months.

Former prosecutors office staff fired since February 2026 filed a complaint against Attorney General Dagoberto Aspra alleging unjustified dismissals and nonpayment of severance and labor benefits, though Finance Ministry records show funds were transferred to the agency.

Taiwan's vice minister of foreign affairs said the government is willing to resume diplomatic relations and joint development projects with Honduras, noting President Asfura made the promise during his campaign.

President Asfura and Ukrainian President Zelenski signed a joint declaration and intergovernmental commission to expand bilateral trade, attract investment in agriculture and technology, and strengthen food security through fertilizer access and market diversification.

Congress approved a temporary six-month administrative amnesty allowing Hondurans to legally register commercial firearms without original purchase documents, provided they pass a background check and submit to ballistic inspection.

Honduras's judicial employee association has asked the Supreme Court to approve a 10% salary increase for approximately 6,000 workers, with a decision expected before the mid-year court recess in July.

Honduras's Supreme Court-appointed auditor (TSC) has begun reviewing the administrative tenure of Rebeca Ráquel Obando, who resigned as president of the court in March after making roughly 190 appointments during her term that drew criticism.

Honduras's Congress unanimously passed a law requiring businesses to disclose their true beneficial owners in a new centralized registry, aiming to combat money laundering, corruption, and terrorist financing.

Congress began debate on sweeping reforms to Honduras's electric utility ENEE, aiming to reshape its corporate structure and finances to address the state company's L50 million daily fiscal deficit before lawmakers begin mid-year recess.

Elections for new leaders of Honduras's electoral bodies—the CNE and TJE—will likely slip from this year into January 2027 due to lack of consensus among congressional factions, says the head of Congress's Electoral Commission.

Culture Minister Yasser Handal faced backlash after replacing the commemorative plaque on a community center that opened under the previous government, renaming it and adding his name and President Asfura's; he apologized and said the plaque would be removed.

Honduran agriculture officials and Brazilian representatives agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding focused on technology transfer, improved seeds for staple crops, and soy development, with the aim of boosting productivity and food security.

Honduras and a dozen other American countries in the Shield of the Americas coalition expressed support for Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz and condemned destabilization attempts, citing concerns that protests and road blockades are disrupting food and medicine supplies.

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.

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.

Congress president Tomás Zambrano has called a June 9 meeting between ride-hailing platforms including Uber, inDriver, and VIP taxi services and Congress's Transportation Commission to discuss regulation and enforcement actions by the transport authority.

Francisco Cosenza, former director of Honduras's Security Tax (Tasa de Seguridad), was sentenced in Miami to five years of home detention after pleading guilty to money laundering and bribery charges tied to over $10 million in padded police uniform and supply contracts.

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.