Friday, August 21, 2026 — Morning Edition

Luis Javier Santos, a former UFERCO prosecutor, says Honduras's judiciary has long protected impunity by weakening, shelving, or stalling corruption cases — among them Hermes, Arca Abierta, and a congressional-fund scheme — before they reach a conviction.

Honduras's maquiladora industry is rolling out a plan to attract foreign investment and open new industrial parks, banking on tariff relief for Central American textiles entering the US and a joint push with the government to improve how investors see the country.

Honduras's official dollar exchange rate rose to L26.8368 (buy) and L26.9710 (sell) on August 20, extending a week-long climb that has weakened the lempira by roughly L0.009 since Monday.

A UNAH economist warns that ending Temporary Protected Status for about 50,000 Hondurans in the US could gradually cut remittances by as much as $200 million a year if those migrants lose formal jobs and income.

The Central American bank approved financing for the Quiebra Montes dam, which will expand water service to 190,000 residents of Tegucigalpa, ease dry-season rationing from once every nine days to once every three, and save the government about 21 million lempiras a year in electricity costs.

Also reported by: El Libertador

The Tegucigalpa city government began clearing markets in Comayagüela a month ago, enforcing yellow-line boundaries to reclaim space for pedestrians and traffic in markets including Colón, Álvarez, and San Isidro.

Nurses will hold informational assemblies across the country Thursday to press the Health Ministry over unfilled positions and contracts for 484 interim nurses, after eight months of stalled talks.

The United Nations is committing $80 million to help Honduras cope with a severe drought hitting several regions, with funds going to affected municipalities, early-action programs, safe-water access, and aid for small farmers.

The near-threatened white bat (Ectophylla alba), a thumb-sized mammal found in the rainforests of Honduras's Mosquitia, builds tent-like shelters from Heliconia leaves and is threatened by deforestation and habitat loss.

Gilberto Benítez, the teachers' union leader for northern Honduras, said dozens of teaching posts in Cortés were filled without proper competition or vetting under the previous administration, and warned of possible school occupations if authorities do not investigate and correct the irregular appointments.

A 3.2-magnitude earthquake struck Santa Bárbara early Thursday at 4:28 a.m., just 1 kilometer deep near Las Vegas, causing no reported injuries or damage but adding to recent seismic activity in Honduras.

The Bethel Drum & Bugle Corps of La Ceiba scored more than 91% to win the World Class category at the Latin American Drum Corps competition in Guatemala, taking back-to-back titles and earning individual awards for color guard, visual design, brass, and general effect.

Marathón president Daniel Otero apologized to fans after a 1-0 loss to El Salvador's Alianza FC in the Copa Centroamericana, leaving the San Pedro Sula club needing to beat Nicaragua's Real Estelí on Wednesday to advance.

Honduras's National Congress approved awarding three FIFA referees — Said Martínez, Walter López, and Cristian Ramírez — the Grand Cross with Silver Plaque for officiating at the 2026 World Cup.

The Friends of Children's Nurseries Foundation will hold its first "Copa Amigos 2026" golf tournament on August 22 at La Lima Country Club in San Pedro Sula to raise money for early-childhood education and development programs for vulnerable children in northern Honduras.

Rigoberto Medina, a mototaxi driver, was shot repeatedly and killed between Nueva Esperanza and San Bartolo in Santa Cruz de Yojoa, after which his body and vehicle were set on fire.

Urías Jabin Lovo Montoya, a TikTok content creator, was ordered held pending trial in Danlí on charges of aggravated mistreatment of a minor and misuse of emergency calls, with an initial hearing set for August 25.

Also reported by: Once Noticias

National Police arrested two Nicaraguan men in Comayagua on suspicion of robbing several victims by force and intimidation, following complaints from residents.