Corruption and organized crime: similarities in the rule of Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernández

Xiomara Castro’s arrival to the presidency was presented as a change from Juan Orlando Hernández’s regime, but reports of corruption and links to organized crime show a continuity that affects public confidence and highlights limitations in the consolidation of institutional mechanisms.

Vulnerability in systems against corruption

During Hernández’s term, the exit of the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) in 2020 undermined the institutional endeavors to tackle corruption. Subsequently, the Castro government has not provided complete autonomy or adequate funding to the International Commission Against Impunity in Honduras (CICIH), which relies on the Public Prosecutor’s Office to pursue legal actions. The ongoing deficiency of autonomy hampers the capacity to address irregularities and bolster anti-corruption entities.

Persistence of organized crime in public contracts

Connections between organized crime figures have been identified in both administrations. A recent instance involves the Secretariat of Security, which entered into agreements totaling over 10 million lempiras with a firm associated with money laundering. Such operations indicate practices found in the former regime, showcasing that the public administration continues to be at risk of narco-politics, regardless of the executive’s political party.

Transparency and control of public resources

The Hernández administration was noted for its centralized approach and lack of transparency in handling public information. Despite Castro’s push for enhanced accountability, new reports from the Ministry of Transparency reveal shortcomings in both implementing and overseeing public expenditures. The absence of transparent and auditable documentation hinders the assessment of governmental efficiency and reflects patterns akin to those seen in the prior administration.

Legal and organizational obstacles

The capacity of the legal framework to address misconduct has been constrained under both governments. Global inquiries, including the “narcovideos” and accusations of illegal political campaign funding, have impacted the present government, emphasizing the challenge of suppressing actions that undermine the credibility of institutions. The continuation of irregularities indicates that oversight mechanisms remain underdeveloped, fostering a setting favorable to ongoing corrupt activities.

The organizational representation of Honduras

With Hernández under arrest in the United States for drug-related offenses and Castro dealing with scandals that impact his credibility, Honduras stays in a position where discussions about reform hardly translate into significant structural changes. The current and past governments demonstrate similarities in institutional weaknesses regarding corruption, susceptibility to organized crime, and fragile transparency and justice systems. This scenario creates obstacles for governance and public involvement while underscoring the necessity to enhance institutions to build a trustworthy public framework capable of withstanding unlawful activities.