Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Tomás Zambrano, president of the National Congress, said the government has submitted a 2027 budget of roughly 455.4 billion lempiras (about $18.2 billion) that prioritizes drought relief, water infrastructure and security, with an approval vote expected in mid-December.

Heavy-transport union leader Edgardo Menéndez said his regulated members took no part in the violent protests and road blockades near El Zamorano, blamed unregulated carriers, and noted his sector has already reached a fuel-cost agreement with the government.

Lawmakers are debating electoral reforms that would introduce a second-round runoff and restrict sitting officials from using their offices for political gain, with a deadline for approval set for January 24, 2027.

Honduras's pension and housing fund RAP has L3.86 billion (about $155 million) available for home loans this year, with director Juan Carlos Sikaffy saying the fund aims to widen access to housing credit for affiliated workers.

Darwin Ponce, head of the consumer-protection group Artículo 19, disputed claims of a genuine fuel subsidy, saying the government has not disclosed which budget line pays for it, and rejected leaning on foreign companies for short-term relief instead of pursuing futures purchases and a petroleum stabilization fund.

The National Agricultural Development Bank (Banadesa) is carrying nearly L3.8 billion in overdue loans—about 50% of its portfolio, including credits decades old—straining its finances and forcing it to devise a debt-recovery plan.

The national power company will cut electricity for maintenance in parts of Francisco Morazán and Choluteca on September 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., affecting dozens of neighborhoods and rural communities.

Also reported by: Once Noticias, Radio HRN

Tegucigalpa's mayor warned that the capital's severe drought—with water now delivered every 12 days and reservoirs at critical levels—risks setting off a public-health emergency, and officials are drilling 15 new wells and watching for outbreaks of diseases such as dengue.

Central America's economic ministers granted a six-month extension, to January 15, 2027, for food and beverage makers to use up existing labels listing erythrosine (Red No. 3), a dye banned last year after US regulators linked it to cancer in animal tests.

Farmers in southern Honduras who lost maize, beans and squash to drought must now find $300 to $370 per manzana (about 0.7 hectares) to replant, leaving many with nothing to start again, while the UN World Food Programme—which now covers 12,000 small producers—says it is weighing expanded aid to more drought-hit communities.

Lt. Col. Ever David Maldonado Chacón, a Honduran Army parachutist who suffered a severe spinal injury during a freefall jump at last year's independence celebration, returned to the National Stadium in a wheelchair to take part in this year's parade, where President Nasry Asfura honored his recovery and resilience.

José Inés Chinchilla resigned as president of Honduras's second-division Liga de Ascenso after his club, Olimpia Occidental, was expelled from the league, prompting a search for new board leadership.

Coach José Francisco Molina has named his squad for Honduras's four CONCACAF Nations League matches, marking the return of Jonathan Rubio after a four-year absence and the call-up of rising prospect Dereck Moncada, who has scored five goals for Swiss club Lugano.

Also reported by: Once Noticias, Radio América Honduras

A Honduran and two other migrants were found trapped inside a sealed freight train car near Knippa, Texas, on September 7 and rescued by U.S. Border Patrol agents, the second such rescue in two weeks at the same spot.

Leonarda de Jesús Matute was shot dead in her home in San Juan Pueblo, Atlántida, months after her daughter Isis Carolina Matute, 25, was murdered in the same area in April; police are investigating whether the killings are linked.

Also reported by: HCH

A motorcycle collided with a truck in the Las Brisas sector of Sabanagrande, Francisco Morazán, killing one rider at the scene and seriously injuring the other.

Edwin Ramos and his son Wilder were fatally attacked during a birthday celebration in Sabá, Colón, on September 13; police are investigating the motive and searching for the suspect.