Browse Honduras Daily Stories

The president of Congress announced that lawmakers will resume debate on controversial reforms to Honduras's electricity sector on Tuesday, with party caucuses still negotiating points of disagreement ahead of the planned third and final vote.

Prosecutors have appointed three forensic experts to investigate alleged cost overruns of up to 158% on three hospitals built in Ocotepeque, Santa Bárbara, and Olancho during the prior administration, with project costs reportedly ballooning from roughly $79–80 million to approximately $200 million.

Honduras's electoral authority and Congress will begin a technical working group on September 17 to debate electoral law changes, including a proposed runoff vote, aimed at strengthening democratic legitimacy and citizen confidence.

Legal experts say a constitutional challenge filed by National Congress President Luis Redondo and the Permanent Commission to freeze the Public Ministry's investigation lacks merit and is designed to delay proceedings.

Congress and Honduras's Joint Chiefs of Staff are reviewing the Armed Forces Organic Law to strengthen institutional safeguards against politicization, particularly following concerns raised during the 2025 primary elections.

The National Congress heard from the ENEE director and energy regulator on annual contract renewals for 30, 50, and 80 megawatts of electricity, with lawmakers divided over whether the state utility has adequate funds to pay for the supply amid broader financial strain.

Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez's homily about how drug traffickers and criminals bury illicit money triggered debate among lawmakers, with some urging caution in linking politicians to crime and others arguing the problem extends far beyond cash to property, businesses, and major investments.

Honduras's Supreme Court ordered a new trial for former judge Wendy Caballero Reyes on charges of abuse of authority stemming from her handling of an asset-laundering investigation involving a minor, with the hearing set for November 26.

Honduras's power utility ENEE loses more than L17 billion (about $680 million) annually to technical inefficiencies and electricity theft, representing 35% of total output; Congress is advancing reforms to reorganize ENEE into subsidiary units for generation, transmission, and distribution, strengthen the regulatory commission, and establish an independent market operator.

Civil-society group ASJ is pressing for a public report on Honduras's National Program for Reduction of Electrical Losses, questioning the transparency of purchases and inventory management during its operation through January 2026.

Honduras's National Registry clarified that the new DINNA child identification card, launching enrollment in 2026 with card distribution expected in March 2027, will not replace birth certificates but will add biometric data and facial recognition to strengthen protection against trafficking and help identify migrant children.

Honduras sold its presidential aircraft for just over $5 million — roughly $9 million less than a previous Nationalist administration paid for it — prompting Libre opposition lawmakers to question the process while the current government says the sale was conducted transparently and proceeds will fund social projects.

Experts and civic groups are demanding transparent audits of municipal vehicle-tax revenues to verify that authorities use the money for road maintenance and improvement, as public protests grow over rate increases that citizens say have not improved street and highway conditions.

Congress suspended debate on a proposed energy modernization law after the Liberal Party and social sectors demanded more time and transparency, citing concerns over potential rate increases and the future of the state electricity company ENEE.

Honduras's Supreme Court assigned Walter Miranda Sabio as the judge to handle cases involving former officials and ex-presidents under investigation in the so-called Pandora II corruption probe, following standard procedures for cases involving people with special legal status.

The National Congress could convene next week to approve reforms to overhaul Honduras's troubled state electricity utility ENEE, with backers claiming support from 65+ lawmakers and backing from international lenders seeking to stabilize the company's finances and reduce nationwide blackouts.

Honduras's Public Ministry is analyzing expert testimony and may soon file charges against former members of Congress's Permanent Commission, led by Luis Redondo, over alleged electoral irregularities.

Internal tensions in Honduras's Liberal Party have intensified as its executive council president and rival factions clash over financial transparency and accountability for funds spent in the 2025 elections.

A Honduran court ordered the Public Prosecutor's Office to return more than 60 assets to the retail company Mangys Store after the company's legal representatives proved the goods were lawfully obtained, demonstrating no connection to money laundering or other crimes.

The president of Honduras's Supreme Court says proposed reforms to combat femicide, including specialized courts with women judges, have judicial support but require state budget allocation that has not yet been secured.

The head of Honduras's electoral commission has proposed eliminating the unanimity requirement for decisions by the electoral council and electoral court, replacing it with simple-majority voting to speed up electoral processes, though opposition parties worry it could weaken consensus-building.

Honduras's National Congress announced agreements to return about 30 seized VIP taxis, suspend penalties from transport authorities, and establish a regulatory framework allowing VIP and digital-platform cabs to operate alongside traditional taxis, ending a conflict that had threatened further protests.

Security Minister Gerson Velásquez confirmed that former president Juan Orlando Hernández will receive state protection as an ex-chief executive after the Supreme Court suspended his arrest warrant, allowing him to voluntarily appear before a judge to face pending criminal charges.