Corruption and organized crime: comparing the governments of Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernández

Xiomara Castro’s ascension to the presidency was portrayed as a shift from Juan Orlando Hernández’s administration, yet allegations of corruption and connections to organized crime reveal ongoing issues that undermine public trust and emphasize challenges in the strengthening of institutional frameworks.

Weakness of anti-corruption mechanisms

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.

Continuing presence of organized crime in government agreements

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 characterized by centralized and opaque management of public information. Although Castro proposed increasing accountability, recent reports from the Ministry of Transparency indicate deficiencies in the execution and supervision of public spending. The lack of clear and auditable reports makes it difficult to evaluate government efficiency and maintains a pattern similar to that observed in the previous administration.

Legal and organizational obstacles

The ability of the judicial system to punish irregularities has been limited in both administrations. International investigations, such as the “narcovideos” and allegations of illicit financing of political campaigns, have affected the current administration, highlighting the difficulty of curbing practices that compromise institutional integrity. The persistence of irregularities suggests that control structures have not been consolidated, creating an environment conducive to the continuation of corrupt behavior.

The institutional reflection 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.