Honduras News Archives: corruption

Arrests Made in University Director’s Son’s Murder

News on October 31, 2011 by Administrator| Comments Off

This morning, the national police arrested four national police officers assigned to Metropolitan Police Station No. 1 in Tegucigalpa for the murders of Rafael Castellanos (son of the Director of the Autonomous National University of Honduras – UNAH) and his friend, Carlos Pineda, who were both students at the UNAH.

Three of the arrested officers are José Manfredo Colindres, Martín Orlando Ortez, and Wilson Córdova Rodríguez.

The Minister of Security explained that those arrested are charged with kidnapping, abuse of authority, and murder.

Four additional agents have an order out for their capture: sub-inspector Carlos Galeas, and police officers Wilfredo Figueroa, Arnulfo Padilla and Rubén Pozo.

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Posted in Human Interest

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Honduran Security Minister Forced Out

News on September 13, 2011 by Jennifer| Comments Off

Excerpt…
“Alvarez’s departure was the result of tension between his office and the leadership of the National Police. Allegedly, the top officials in the police force threatened to quit en masse if Alvarez was not forced out of office.”

“This was likely sparked by Alvarez’s repeated attempts to purge the police of corrupt elements, something which he has become known for in recent years. Indeed, in February 2010, Alvarez shared his doubts over the integrity of the police force in person with InSight Crime.”

“According to him, the police are now more thoroughly infiltrated by criminal groups than at any point in history, as evidenced by the fact that there have been several cases of police working for local mafia groups.”

“The tone of his rhetoric on police reform has become more and more confrontational. He made waves on August 17 by announcing that there was high-level corruption in the police, which he followed up by presenting a draft law to Congress to allow the immediate removal of police suspected of corruption. But perhaps his most outspoken indictment of the police force came on September 1, when he publicly called on National Police director Jose Luis Muñoz Licona to fire 10 police officials who he claimed were acting as “air traffic control men” for drug flights…”continue story in Christian Science Monitor here.

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Posted in Politics in Honduras

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The USA Approves of Honduras in the OAS

News on May 4, 2011 by gringa| Comments Off

Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Acting Deputy SpokesmanOffice of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 3, 2011

We welcome the announcement by the Organization of American States (OAS) that the Principal condition for the return of Honduras to the OAS has now been met. The Honduran Supreme Court, on May 2, resolved the criminal cases against former President Zelaya in accordance with Honduran law. While the United States Government did not take a position on how these cases should be decided, we hope that their resolution will promote continued national reconciliation in Honduras.

The United States, together with all OAS Member States, suspended Honduras’ participation in the OAS in July 2009. President Lobo was democratically elected in November 2009 and took office in January 2010 helping restore democratic and constitutional order in Honduras. Since his inauguration, President Lobo has moved swiftly to pursue national reconciliation, strengthen governance, stabilize the economy, and improve human rights conditions.

The United States believes the suspension of Honduras should be immediately lifted and supports OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza’s intention to initiate consultations with member states on this issue. Full participation in the OAS would enable Honduras to benefit fully from the OAS capacity to promote human rights and good governance.

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Posted in Politics in Honduras

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