Honduras Roundup: Squatters, biosphere reserve, murder of journalist

Battle with squatters in rural Honduras

In June, President Xiomara Castro created the Agrarian Security Commission, an entity aimed at settling disputes over land titles, improving conditions for 63% of Honduras who live in rural areas, and protecting landowners from invaders. However, La Prensa reports that six months into its foundation, the Commission has not been able to stop squatting throughout the country. Up to December, there are almost 99,000 acres of illegally occupied land, a 15% increase from the date the Agrarian institution started operating. Leaders of the private sector lamented that the Commission was unsuccessful in stopping invaders. Human rights defenders, on the other hand, worry that violent evictions have increased since the creation of the Agrarian Security Commission.

US$8.2m for biosphere reserve protection

A joint fund between the local Government and the European Union seeks to protect the country’s largest protected area from unsustainable agriculture, wildfires, and gold extraction. Honduras’ Forest Conservation Institute (ICF) has invested over US$1.4 million to protect the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve, the country’s largest protected area with over 350,000 hectares. This is part of a US$8.2 million fund, with support from the European Union, allocated to safeguarding this area. According to La Prensa, this biosphere reserve has been affected by agriculture and cattle raising, drug trafficking, wildfires, illegal fishing, evictions of indigenous communities, and illegal construction of highways. The president of the ICF, Luis Solís, also lamented that gold extraction is damaging Honduras’ largest protected area. Solís detailed that they have invested in promoting sustainable agricultural management, wildfire prevention, and reforestation efforts.

Murder of journalist condemned

Despite having state protection measures, Francisco Ramírez and the police officer assigned to protect him were attacked on December 21st. On Tuesday, the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) condemned the murder of Honduran journalist Francisco Javier Ramírez Amador. He was attacked along with a police officer assigned to protect him, due to a previous attempt to kill him in May. This murder adds to that of José Amílcar Chávez, owner of a Christian radio station and correspondent for the news show Hoy Mismo. Roberto Rock, president of IAPA, urged Honduran authorities to investigate the case thoroughly and said it is “outrageous that this happened despite the victim having precautionary measures for his protection.” 

“Traditional products” among Honduras’ highest exports

Coffee, bananas, shrimp, and African palm oil dominate the country’s exports. According to El Heraldo, Honduras’ exports have been spearheaded by these four “traditional” products. Data from the country’s Central Bank (BCH) shows that out of US$5.1 billion in exports, these products have represented 49.72% (US$2.5 billion). The United States of America remains Honduras’ largest trading partner, receiving around 35-44% of its exports. A 2021 assessment by the Spanish Government shows that although Honduras has been trying to diversify its exports, those four products still dominate its international trade.

Thirteen institutions “fail” internal evaluation

El Heraldo reports that on December 27th, Honduran President Xiomara Castro shared the results of an internal assessment of government institutions. Marcio Sierra, head of the country’s Management by Results Direction, explained the evaluation criteria: there were 860 goals divided by performance, level of execution, and transparency. Out of the Executive branch’s 95 institutions, 13 of them failed the test with a score lower than 60%. Castro did not specify which institutions did not pass the assessment but warned that on January 1st, there will be changes in her cabinet. The President also urged public officials to open up to the press and the people.