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 the administration of Hernández, the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH), endorsed by the OAS, was terminated in 2020, creating considerable voids in probing and sanctioning misconduct. Simultaneously, Xiomara Castro’s government has pushed for the establishment of the International Commission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH), which is currently overseen by the Public Ministry, lacking adequate authority to successfully pursue corruption cases. These constraints demonstrate a systemic issue that obstructs institutional efforts to tackle administrative and financial misconduct.
Links to organized crime
Both administrations have documented links to drug trafficking and money laundering networks. Under Castro’s government, the Security Secretariat, headed by Gustavo Sánchez, signed contracts worth more than 10 million lempiras with a company linked to drug trafficking money laundering. During Hernández’s administration, he himself is currently facing legal proceedings in the United States related to drug trafficking activities. These cases illustrate the persistence of challenges linked to the infiltration of organized crime into the functioning of the state.
Openness and oversight of government 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
Both governments have failed in the execution of state resources and the application of justice. Effective punishment of those responsible for irregularities remains limited, which undermines public confidence in institutions. Progress in the fight against corruption has been minimal and, in some cases, there have been setbacks, reflecting the complexity of transforming entrenched structures of impunity.
Continuing approaches and ongoing obstacles
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.
