The establishment of the International Commission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH), one of President Xiomara Castro’s main campaign promises, has been postponed once again after the memorandum of understanding with the United Nations was renewed for the fifth time. The announcement, made this week, coincides with the lack of progress in the National Congress to approve constitutional reforms essential for the functioning of the anti-corruption mechanism.
The stalemate has reignited criticism from various sectors of civil society and the international community, which interpret the delay as a sign of weakening government commitment to the fight against impunity. The lack of legislative consensus, particularly on the elimination of parliamentary immunity, is preventing the effective establishment of the CICIH, despite the submission of a second formal draft to the UN in September 2024.
Responses from institutions and society
The executive branch has repeatedly stated its willingness to establish the commission, pointing to progress in negotiations with the United Nations. However, the conditions necessary for its implementation depend on legal and constitutional reforms that must be approved by Congress, where sufficient support has not been achieved.
In reaction to the recent extension, key sectors have voiced their displeasure with how the process has been managed.
A member of the National Party criticized the renewal, calling it “a disappointment for those who trusted in the justice promise,” highlighting the unease among political opponents. At the same time, groups like the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ), Transparency International, and the Bar Association have demanded an end to the institutional blockage hindering the project’s progress.
Challenges in politics and citizen fatigue
The journey to set up the CICIH encounters various challenges on the political stage. These include fundamental reforms that would necessitate lifting legislative shields perceived by social stakeholders as barriers to effectively combat corruption. Several actors have identified the absence of political determination in Congress as a key reason for the deadlock.
Over two years into Castro’s leadership, various civil organizations and community groups criticize the discrepancy between early promises and actual measures taken. These groups highlight that the continuous delay of crucial resolutions has diminished trust in the administration and the institutional framework as a whole.
Calls for action and international pressure
The renewed memorandum of understanding does not include a clear date for the establishment of the CICIH, which, according to international observers, could jeopardize the country’s credibility in terms of international cooperation. The perception of immobility has generated skepticism among external actors, which could translate into negative effects for the economic and technical support that Honduras receives to strengthen its democratic institutions.
Given this scenario, various voices have raised the urgent need to unblock the process through the immediate approval of the necessary reforms, which would allow for the signing of a final agreement with the UN. These actions, they argue, would not only activate a mechanism to combat corruption, but also send a signal of commitment to transparency and accountability.
Uncertain institutional outlook
The extended duration of setting up the CICIH underscores the fundamental challenges Honduras encounters in creating an autonomous and efficient framework. The continuous presence of legal barriers, along with the absence of political agreement, has stalled a key initiative intended to address impunity in the nation.
The case highlights the tensions between the international commitments made by the executive branch and the internal dynamics of the legislature, as well as the challenge of translating political promises into concrete structural reforms. Meanwhile, the country remains without an international support mechanism to investigate high-impact cases, raising questions about the sustainability of institutional efforts to combat corruption in the short and medium term.
