In reaction to the Honduran government’s decision not to renew the mandate of the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption in Honduras (MACCIH, by its Spanish acronym), WOLA Director for Citizen Security Adriana Beltrán released the following statement:
“This is a serious blow for critical anti-corruption efforts in Honduras. In a country where drug money has tainted the highest circles of power, the MACCIH was an imperative tool in the fight against corruption.
“But because the MACCIH’s work threatened some of the most powerful people in Honduras, the government has failed to renew the original 2016 agreement, despite the recommendations of the board created by the government and the Organization of American States to evaluate its efforts. This decision has sabotaged the work of anti-corruption crusaders.
“Rather than demonstrate an unshakeable commitment to fighting impunity, the Honduran government has weakened the country’s ability to carry out hard-hitting, independent investigations.
“The U.S. government must send a strong signal indicating that it prioritizes the fight against corruption. There should be no doubt that support for anti-impunity efforts is absolutely imperative to build a more secure, prosperous Honduras.”
See WOLA’s resources on the MACCIH:
- A Q&A on the threats facing Honduras’s fight against corruption.
- Central America Monitor report: Combatting impunity in Honduras.
