Pérez stated, “The military will do the work of the police over a time period of 45 days, which would be renewable if there is a need. This initiative is already known by the Supreme Court of Justice and the public prosecutor, who voiced their views on the same, and both are of the conclusion, that basically, there is consent to adopt it.”

The Deputy’s initiative involves two paragraphs of The Constitution of the Republic of Honduras. By interpreting the second and last paragraphs of Article 274 of the Constitution, the initiative would bring in the military to assist fighting the current situation of crime in the country, which is “affecting the people and property” and would be used to “combat arms trafficking and organized crime”. The initiative hopes to restore public order and social peace, and requests that the armed forces carry out police functions (on a temporary basis) in situations of emergency.

Pérez’s initiative states, “The armed forces, on a permanent basis, will fight drug trafficking and cooperate in the fight against terrorism, arms trafficking and organized crime.” It also recognizes that, “the armed forces to carry out such police duties on a temporary basis, requires that the Executive (the President) issues the corresponding Decree of Emergency.”

The initiative includes that the military body, in the exercise of the police function, should act within the framework of respect for human rights and constitutional guarantees, and the dignity of people, and that they will be accompanied by a prosecutor from the office of the Attorney General.

In addition, it establishes that the armed forces can perform patrols in joint form, or separate from the national police in such a way that they can achieve the best results. Coordination would be achieved through President Porfirio Lobo and the Secretary of Security and Defense.

Juan Orlando Hern&aactue;ndez, President of the National Congress, said he would urge the secretary to bring the initiative immediately to the Executive Branch so that they may contribute their views and offer their opinions.

The initiative was drawn up by National Congress members: Mario Pérez (National Party); Jos&eacute: Alfredo Saavedra (Liberal Party); Marvin Ponce (Democratic Unification Party); Augusto Cruz Asensio (Christian Democrats Party) and German Edgardo Leitzelar Vidaurreta (Innovation and Social Democratic Unity Party (Pinu-SD).