The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) has delivered a serious alert concerning the economic trajectory of Honduras. In a newly released statement, the group pointed to the government for the decline in the investment environment, economic stagnation, and increasing unemployment, issues that, they assert, are worsened by a lack of technical and agreed-upon decisions.
COHEP’s stance arises amidst increasing friction between the governing party and the private sector, intensified by proposals like the Tax Justice Law. The business sector argues that these actions might exacerbate economic uncertainty and lead to capital outflow, rather than addressing the nation’s fundamental issues.
Ongoing reforms and economic decline
The business group criticizes the executive government’s choice to persist with a strategy focused on ideological conflict, rather than pursuing a plan of structural reforms that addresses the nation’s pressing needs. “The absence of tangible economic outcomes, along with an exclusive political narrative, is eroding faith in the nation’s future,” the message indicated.
COHEP’s critique resonates with earlier evaluations by independent groups, like the ERIC-SJ poll, which highlighted significant public dissatisfaction regarding the stagnation on essential matters like joblessness, safety, and availability of opportunities. Both documents reflect a shared worry: the view that the government is drifting away from its economic and democratic path.
Conversation as a solution to the conflict
Facing this situation, COHEP has suggested setting up a diverse dialogue platform with members from the business community, labor organizations, and independent specialists. Their goal, they claim, is to develop a plan to rebuild trust, guarantee legal stability, and establish the groundwork for lasting development.
COHEP’s message is not limited to a specific criticism, but calls for a change in the way the country is governed.
“Honduras does not require enemies from within, it requires a vision for the nation,” the statement expressed, emphasizing the pressing need to focus on economic stability rather than ideological conflicts.
With the 2025 elections on the horizon and growing pressure from various sectors, the government faces the challenge of responding with concrete actions or facing the consequences of a growing loss of legitimacy.
