More than 8,000 Hondurans, 11.7% of whom are minors, have been deported to their home country in 2025, marking a 1.6% increase compared to 2024, according to figures from the Honduran National Migration Institute (INM), reported on Friday by EFE.

Official statistics show that last year, 133 fewer people were deported than the 8,174 returned between January 1 and March 13, 2025.

Of these deportations, the United States has sent back 3,375 Hondurans, of which 389 are children, including some unaccompanied minors, according to the INM report.

Guatemalan authorities have also returned 3,308 Hondurans who were living illegally, with 707 minors among them, the report added.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro said on Wednesday that the logistical failures in the distribution of electoral materials in some voting centers in the country’s two most important cities during the primary and internal elections held last Sunday must be investigated.

“The causes or reasons behind the problems in those areas, both in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, need to be investigated,” Castro told journalists during a working visit to the city of Siguatepeque in central Honduras.

For reasons that have not yet been fully clarified but are under investigation by the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office), hundreds of electoral ballots were delivered with more than a twelve-hour delay in the two major cities, which caused widespread discontent and outrage, and led many people to end up voting until the early hours of Monday.

What was most surprising was that the materials – the distribution, oversight, and custody of which are the responsibility of the Armed Forces at the national level – did not reach many voting centers in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula on time.

Young talent Lamine Yamal and Brazilian forward Raphinha secured Barcelona’s spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Benfica (4-1 on aggregate) on Tuesday at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc.

Raphinha (11’) opened the scoring for Barça after a brilliant assist from Yamal. However, Benfica’s Nicolás Otamendi (13’) quickly leveled the match with a header from a corner kick. Yamal restored the lead (27’) with a stunning goal, and Raphinha sealed the victory (42’) just before halftime.

Determined to avoid any surprises, Barcelona started aggressively, with early attempts from Yamal and Lewandowskisignaling their intent to dominate. All goals came in the first half, securing a convincing win and a place in the next round.