At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister of Defense, Marlon Pascua, said the President’s instructions were clear. He desires for the military and police to continue to work as they have, but to redouble efforts in the fight against crime. He added that both the armed forces and the police will continue working together to follow the laws of the Constitution, but above all, the guidelines emanating from the Presidency of the Republic.

Meanwhile, the new Security Minister, Pompeyo Bonilla, said that he seeks to strengthen the police, an institution that requires logistical support and more technology, but is especially in need of the support of Honduran society in order to give peace and tranquility to the country. He expressed that after taking office, he received instructions from the President of the Republic to strengthen that body. “That is where we will devote our efforts,” he said. He also stated that changes in command of the police will be announced in the coming days. “We will work hard, we know we have professional police, and there must be changes,” he added.

The National Director of police, José Luis Muñoz Licona, said that they will continue with the collective responsibility of both institutions to deal with the wave of crime that affects the country, following the orders of President Lobo Sosa, within the framework of national laws. He stressed that to achieve this objective, there must be a collaboration of the population in general, in the daily struggle between the various sectors of Honduran society.

The head of the Joint Chiefs, René Osorio Canales, reiterated the commitment of support for the police to combat common and organized crime. Efforts will be combined, coordinated, and supportive of the tasks referred to in the Constitution, and with respect for human rights. He noted that the situation in the country is not easy, but as good Hondurans, soldiers and policemen, they will put all their effort and strategy forth in order to curb crime and to bring long-awaited peace to all Hondurans.