The creation of the International Commission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH), a key campaign promise of President Xiomara Castro, has been delayed yet again after the memorandum of understanding with the United Nations was extended for the fifth time. The announcement, made this week, aligns with the absence of developments in the National Congress regarding the approval of constitutional reforms crucial for the anti-corruption initiative’s operation.
The deadlock has sparked criticism from different parts of civil society and the global community, who see the delay as an indication of a weakened governmental dedication to combatting impunity. The absence of legislative agreement, especially regarding the removal of parliamentary immunity, is hindering the successful implementation of the CICIH, even after a second official proposal was sent to the UN in September 2024.
Responses from institutions and society
The executive branch has consistently expressed its readiness to create the commission, highlighting advancements in discussions with the United Nations. Nonetheless, the prerequisites for its execution rely on legal and constitutional changes that need endorsement by Congress, where adequate backing has not been obtained.
Following the implementation of the recent extension, important sectors have voiced their displeasure regarding the management of the procedure.
A member of the National Party criticized the renewal, calling it “a disappointment for those who trusted in the justice promise,” highlighting the unease among political opponents. At the same time, groups like the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ), Transparency International, and the Bar Association have demanded an end to the institutional blockage hindering the project’s progress.
Challenges in politics and citizen fatigue
The journey to set up the CICIH encounters several hurdles politically. Included in these are the foundational changes that may require eliminating legal safeguards seen by social groups as hindrances to effectively combating corruption. The absence of political intent in Congress has been identified by different groups as a significant reason for the deadlock.
Over two years after Castro took office, groups from civil society and networks of citizens are highlighting a discrepancy between early assurances and concrete measures. These groups emphasize that the continual delay in making critical decisions has diminished trust in the administration and the institutional framework overall.
Calls for action and international pressure
The updated agreement does not specify an exact date for the creation of the CICIH. International observers warn this might threaten the nation’s trustworthiness regarding global collaboration. The appearance of stagnation has led to doubt among foreign entities, possibly resulting in adverse impacts on the financial and technical aid Honduras receives to bolster its democratic institutions.
Given this scenario, various voices have raised the urgent need to unblock the process through the immediate approval of the necessary reforms, which would allow for the signing of a final agreement with the UN. These actions, they argue, would not only activate a mechanism to combat corruption, but also send a signal of commitment to transparency and accountability.
Uncertain institutional outlook
The extended endeavor to set up the CICIH emphasizes the foundational challenges that Honduras encounters in developing an autonomous and efficient framework. The continual legal hurdles, along with the absence of political agreement, have stalled a leading effort to address impunity within the nation.
The case highlights the tensions between the international commitments made by the executive branch and the internal dynamics of the legislature, as well as the challenge of translating political promises into concrete structural reforms. Meanwhile, the country remains without an international support mechanism to investigate high-impact cases, raising questions about the sustainability of institutional efforts to combat corruption in the short and medium term.