Honduras Daily by Location

Congress president Tomás Zamrano signed an agreement joining the National Congress to the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.

Congressman Rumy Bueso said the Liberal caucus rejects the government's energy reforms, arguing they weaken state utility ENEE, and will introduce a counterproposal to strengthen the public company without privatization.

The Supreme Court postponed its review of a constitutional challenge filed by Romeo Vásquez Velásquez, the former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, leaving his arrest warrant active as he remains a fugitive pending trial for his alleged role in a death during the 2009 political crisis.

Honduras is updating its integrated strategy for preventing and controlling dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and other vector-borne diseases through 2035, with Pan American Health Organization support, to strengthen surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, clinical care, vector management, and community response.

Honduras's basic food basket has climbed to 16,700 lempiras (about $670), far exceeding the 12,000–14,000-lempira minimum wage, prompting economist Wilfredo Girón to warn that deteriorating purchasing power will force more Hondurans to emigrate as poverty deepens.

Julissa Villanueva, former security undersecretary, is outside Honduras and did not appear at the anti-corruption unit ATIC's offices; her legal team requested permission to testify via Zoom.

Honduras ranks third in the world for climate vulnerability according to 2026 international indicators, prompting COHEP to call for concrete adaptation measures and sustainable development policies to strengthen community resilience.

An economist at the governance think tank ASJ warns that Honduras is using new loans to service about 40% of its existing public debt, a practice that perpetuates debt growth and undermines long-term fiscal sustainability.

Honduras will send a congressional delegation to Washington on August 5 to defend its impeachment process before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which cited concerns about due-process protections and judicial independence.

ASJ economist Obed García warned that rising energy costs and imported inflation could push Honduras's consumer price index up by 1.4%–3.7%, citing CEPAL projections, and urged the government to boost public and productive investment to cushion household incomes.

Former Health Minister José Manuel Matheu criticized the suspension of three hospitals under investigation for cost overruns, saying the projects should continue while authorities probe why costs allegedly ballooned from $79 million to $280 million.

Honduras has spent about 950 million lempiras ($38 million) on fuel and electricity subsidies through mid-2026, exceeding the original budget and prompting officials to consider limiting the benefit to lower-income families.

Congress began briefing all five political caucuses and mayors' associations on a proposed investment law designed to attract capital for hospitals, ports, infrastructure, and other projects by guaranteeing legal security and property rights.

The National Congress unanimously approved a motion requiring the Public Prosecutor's office and police to report to lawmakers on how they handle complaints of sexual assault, rape, and harassment of children in schools, citing numerous reports of abuse.

The Central Bank of Honduras allocated $117.6 million in its foreign-exchange auction on July 28, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.7902 per US dollar for July 29.

A poll shows 55.3% of Hondurans disapprove of President Trump's pardon of former president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted in New York in 2024 on drug-trafficking and weapons charges and returned to Honduras on July 26.

Honduras has recorded 6,218 dengue cases nationwide through epidemiological week 29 (late July), according to the Health Ministry's surveillance unit.

A National Court judge suspended abbreviated proceedings against Gloria Judith Hernández Zelaya after she retracted her statement before the court in a case involving organized crime, environment, and corruption charges.

The state power utility reports daily losses of L40 million (about $1.6 million) while Congress delays approval of an energy law overhaul that officials say is needed to improve efficiency, attract investment, and reduce the company's mounting debt.

Congressman Hugo Noé Pino of the Libre party warned that the El Niño drought's damage to food production will push inflation above 5% in the second half of 2026, and called for contingency plans to protect food security in hardest-hit regions.

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck off Central America's Pacific coast at a depth of 37 kilometers on the night of July 28, with Honduras's emergency agency COPECO monitoring seismic activity.

The 2026 Central American Concacaf Cup kicks off today with 20 clubs from seven countries, including Honduran sides Olimpia and Motagua, competing through December for six spots in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Honduras has confirmed 246 human screwworm infestations and three deaths — all adults over 70 with underlying conditions in Olancho and Francisco Morazán — prompting health authorities to intensify prevention efforts and urge prompt medical care for open wounds.

A proposal from Congressman Erik Alvarado would eliminate the sales tax (ISV) on orthopedic equipment, wheelchairs, medical supplies, and breastfeeding products, aiming to lower costs for people with disabilities, those needing ongoing medical care, and nursing mothers.

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.

Housing Minister Francis Argeñal announced a $400 million National Comprehensive Housing Plan, funded by the Latin American Development Bank and administered by the state housing bank Banhprovi, to provide mortgages to eligible families beginning in September.

Honduras imported over $3.06 billion in Chinese goods in 2025—34% technology and equipment, plus metal products and construction materials—widening the trade deficit with China to $3.13 billion as exports remain limited.

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.

Finance Minister Emilio Hércules said Honduras placed $815 million in bonds this year—$615 million to manage debt and $200 million for the 2026 budget—while a new sovereign bond carries a 6.40% interest rate, down from 8.65% on the previous issue.