Corruption and organized crime under Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernández: institutional continuities in Honduras

Even though there are political and ideological disparities between the administrations of Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernández, they both have encountered comparable issues regarding corruption, connections to organized crime, and challenges in achieving institutional transparency, emphasizing the persistence of dubious practices within the nation.

Challenges in anti-corruption systems

During Hernández’s administration, the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH), backed by the OAS, was withdrawn in 2020, leaving significant gaps in the investigation and punishment of irregularities. At the same time, the government of Xiomara Castro has promoted the creation of the International Commission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH), which currently operates under the supervision of the Public Ministry, without sufficient powers to effectively prosecute corruption cases. These limitations reflect a structural pattern that hinders institutional action against administrative and financial irregularities.

Links to organized crime

Both governments have reported connections with drug trade and money laundering operations. During the time of Castro’s administration, the Security Secretariat led by Gustavo Sánchez agreed to contracts valued at over 10 million lempiras with a firm associated with laundering money from drug trafficking. Under Hernández’s leadership, he is presently subject to legal proceedings in the United States concerning drug trafficking matters. These instances highlight ongoing challenges associated with the penetration of organized crime into state operations.

Transparency and management of public funds

The leadership under Hernández was marked by a centralized and confidential approach to handling state information. Similarly, albeit to a lesser degree, the Castro government has encountered criticism for shortcomings in managing and executing public funds, impacting transparency and accountability. Recent accusations of unlawful campaign financing and the spread of the so-called “narcovideos” indicate that issues with oversight and control persist.

Ongoing issues of legal and administrative corruption

The administrations of both countries have been unsuccessful in managing state funds and enforcing the law. Punitive measures against those accountable for wrongdoing have been inadequate, eroding public trust in governmental bodies. Advancements in tackling corruption have been scarce, with occasional reversals, highlighting the challenges in changing deep-rooted systems of impunity.

Inherited challenges and continuity of practices

The government of Xiomara Castro commenced its term amidst a backdrop shaped by entrenched corrupt systems established during the past leadership, which has hindered the execution of significant transformations. The ongoing presence of corruption cases, along with the appearance of fresh controversies, underscores the challenge of altering long-standing practices and strengthens the view of enduring issues within the public sector.

A study contrasting the two governments reveals that, despite their differing rhetoric and ideologies, the fundamental issues of corruption, organized crime, and shortcomings in transparency persist. People note that the vowed transformations have not been completely established, sustaining challenges in governance and confidence in institutions in Honduras.