Monday, August 24, 2026

Congress President Tomás Zambrano said the Electoral Affairs Commission will present reforms next week to strengthen the National Electoral Council (CNE), requiring councillors to attend every plenary session and improving the transmission of results so outcomes can be reported on election day.

Also reported by: La Prensa

Honduras now lets Costa Ricans with valid US or Canadian visas or residency enter without a criminal-record certificate, reversing a rule in place since October 2023 that nearly stranded one traveler at the airport.

The initial hearing in the Pandora II case against former president Juan Orlando Hernández resumes Monday, Aug. 24, as his defense challenges the prosecution's evidence and seeks to throw out the fraud charges, arguing that other co-defendants were already dismissed.

Municipal police and public-order officials removed vendors from the El Carrizal bridges in Tegucigalpa after complaints that the stalls were blocking foot and vehicle traffic, relocating them to other permitted spots.

Garífuna organizations rejected the Honduran judiciary's offer of dialogue on territorial disputes the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has already ruled on, citing the government's failure to comply with the court's orders and a hate campaign, while five land-rights defenders from San Juan still have no judge to hear their case.

Congress passed a reform to the Economic Reactivation Law creating a temporary settlement mechanism to resolve pending claims by dismissed Family Guides against the state through negotiated payment agreements.

Cohep president Anabel Gallardo called on Congress to pass the long-delayed energy law reform, warning that continued inaction weakens ENEE's governance and could scare off investment.

Hundreds of Hondurans say they cannot reach their deposits in HLV, a digital fund-raising platform that went offline; customers in Copán, Olancho, and Santa Bárbara are occupying offices demanding answers, while company representatives deny a permanent closure and blame an alleged cyberattack.

Anxiety among children under 14 in Honduras is climbing, with clinical psychologist Fanny Ordoñez noting it has become one of the most common reasons children aged 4–12 seek psychological care, often showing up as stomach pain, sleep problems, excessive worry, or school avoidance.

The Social Security Institute has launched a WhatsApp appointment system for 39 medical specialties at hospitals in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, letting members book without going to the clinics in person.

Honduras's Education Ministry denied reports that it would fine teachers or schools L300 (about $12) for skipping September's patriotic parades, saying participation is voluntary and schools may hold civic events on campus instead.

The Culture Ministry signed a deal with the national prison system to provide 1,000 international certification scholarships for inmates, even as official and independent reports show at least 1.7 to 2 million Honduran children remain out of school for lack of resources.

Honduran boxer Teófimo López won the WBA welterweight title by majority decision over Rolly Romero at the T-Mobile Arena, improving to 23–2 and claiming his third world championship across three weight classes.

Also reported by: HCH

Spanish coach Juanfran García of Independiente collapsed on the field, clutching his chest, during a Liga Nacional match at Estadio Carlos Miranda on August 22; medical staff gave him oxygen and he recovered, later returning to the sideline.

Religious images and relics in the chapel at Hospital Gabriela Alvarado in Danlí were found damaged and overturned, alarming patients, staff, and families who condemned the vandalism.

A military parachutist struck electrical cables and fell onto stadium bleachers during a Sunday air show at the Feria Agostina in Santa Rosa de Copán; the extent of his injuries remains unclear.

Two men, identified as Kevin Ruiz Sánchez and Kelser Orlando Castillo, were shot and killed Sunday afternoon inside a home in La Ceiba's Bonitillo sector; one was the homeowner's son, and authorities are investigating the motive.

Also reported by: El Heraldo, HCH

A man gathering scrap metal was struck by a vehicle as he tried to cross the lanes of Tegucigalpa's ring road, suffering head injuries and fractures; he was taken to Hospital Escuela.

Luis Redondo's legal team filed a motion to keep the prosecution's expert witness from testifying about videos of the congressional session that approved Decree 58-2025, arguing the judge should not have let prosecutors correct their expert-designation request.

Consumer advocate Adalid Irías warned that the basic food basket could top L17,000 (about $680) by year's end, driven by holiday demand, drought, and the wider dry corridor affecting 75 municipalities.

The Health Ministry is sending mobile clinics (UMAC) to Margen Izquierda, Colón, from August 24–26 and to Tocoa from August 28–September 1, offering free care to underserved communities.

An engine-room explosion aboard the Miss Georgina, a fishing vessel working the Cajones banks off Gracias a Dios on August 23, killed the captain and left one crew member missing; four others were rescued.

Also reported by: El Heraldo, TuNota (Canal 5 / TSI)

Honduras's Education Ministry is planning a nationwide teacher-hiring exam for January 2027, with Education Minister Ivette Argueta saying the number of openings will depend on vacancies that come up in the public system.

Seventy-five Honduran municipalities under red alert for severe drought asked for early release of August and September government transfers, and 63 of them have already received early payments to address the El Niño-driven emergency.

A near-total lunar eclipse reaching 93% coverage will turn the moon red across Honduras on the night of August 27, peaking at 10:12 PM, with free public viewing at Ciudad Universitaria in Tegucigalpa hosted by the FACES faculty.

Samuel Romero, mayor of La Libertad, Comayagua, announced on social media that 'aura battles' and 'therians' are banned in his municipality and said he would back reinstating mandatory military service — a remark that drew a sharp and divided online reaction.

Olimpia striker Michaell Chirinos fractured his cheekbone in a match against Olancho FC and will have surgery, ruling him out of Thursday's Central American Cup game against Costa Rican club Saprissa.

Honduras's second-division Apertura tournament opened with lopsided scores and upsets across three groups, while historic club Olimpia Occidental began under a cloud after an administrative relegation was confirmed before play started.

Honduras has taken in and is arranging the return of 365 Mexican citizens deported from the United States, providing shelter, food, and assistance at a migrant center in San Pedro Sula under a reciprocal arrangement with Mexico.

About 31,000 Hondurans were deported from the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala between January and August 2026, including 27,828 who arrived by air from the US, as the government braces for possible mass returns after the US ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans.

Brayan Omar Sánchez, a Honduran from Olancho deported to an African country by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite an active asylum case under judicial review, posted videos documenting severe poverty and sanitation conditions where he says he now lives.

Military Police arrested a suspected MS-13 member in the Smith neighborhood of Comayagüela on suspicion of drug trafficking, seizing cocaine, crack, marijuana, and cash.

Génesis Acosta Morales, 20, was shot and killed outside a plaza in San Antonio de la Cuesta, in San Jerónimo municipality, on the night of August 22; authorities are investigating and have not identified a motive or suspects.