Central America

Honduran Congress fails to reach agreement to elect Superior Court

Photo: Radio Progreso Honduras

November 24 |

The Permanent Commission of the Honduran Congress, which is composed of nine deputies of the ruling Libre party, including the head of the Legislative, Luis Redondo, appointed Wednesday a special commission to be in charge of the selection process of the judges of the Superior Court of Accounts (TSC).

Meanwhile, in a parallel session, the opposition benches agreed to create another commission to take charge of this selection. The constitutional period of work of the current officials of the TSC expires next December 7.

During this session of the opposition benches, deputy Iroshka Elvir (Partido Salvador de Honduras, PSH) served again as acting president, while Suyapa Figueroa (PSH) and Marlon Lara (Partido Liberal) served as secretaries. Days before, these deputies were denounced for usurpation of functions and abuse of authority.

What happened deepened the division within the Legislative, where out of 128 seats at least 65 correspond to opposition benches which insist on not dialoguing with the ruling party on core aspects of the legislative agenda, in this case the election of a group of authorities, which must be done in periods of time foreseen in the Constitution.

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The member of the permanent commission, congresswoman and secretary of the Congress Luz Angélica Smith (Partido Libertad y Refundación, Libre, ruling party) announced that between November 27 and December 4, the Secretariat will be receiving nominations to integrate the TSC.

The special commission created by the Permanent Commission will conduct interviews with the candidates, examine their resumes, evaluate them and then must present a list for election.

The opposition rejected the election of the commission carried out by the Permanent Commission and reiterated its narrative that such body is trying to substitute the Plenary.

Due to the intransigence of the opposition benches, the Permanent Commission relied on the Constitution to appoint, weeks ago, authorities such as the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.

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Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo revealed on Tuesday that a Starlink terminal was discovered inside a prison in the country, highlighting corruption and the illegal introduction of advanced communication technology into the penitentiary system.

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The disclosure was made during a press conference attended by Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda and Defense Minister Henry Sáenz.

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Guatemala Police Arrest Prison Guard Caught in the Act of Extortion

Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC) arrested a suspected extortionist in the act during an operation carried out in the department of Quiché, authorities reported.

According to the police report, the arrest took place in Zone 1 of Santa Cruz del Quiché after officers responded to a citizen complaint. Agents from Precinct 71 identified the suspect as Encarnación “N”, 41, who was serving as a guard in the Guatemalan Penitentiary System.

The suspect was caught while attempting to collect a package simulating an extortion payment totaling 25,000 quetzales. Police intervened at the precise moment the money was being handed over, allowing authorities to document the crime in flagrante delicto.

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