Honduras’ Reforms Allow Organized Crime Suspects to Walk Free
A year after Honduras reformed its money laundering law, dozens of individuals with alleged ties to organized crime have been freed from prison, sparking concerns that those in power are being protected.
The Reform: A Recipe for Impunity?
According to an investigation by El Heraldo, at least 45 people suspected of links to organized crime have been released since the reform was implemented. The Honduran government introduced changes to its Special Law Against Asset Laundering last November, making it harder for prosecutors to charge individuals with money laundering.
- New Requirements: Suspicious assets must now be connected to another serious crime, such as drug trafficking or arms trafficking, in order to initiate proceedings.
- Access to Financial Records Restricted: Investigators can no longer access financial records without prior judicial permission.
As a result of the reform, several high-profile cases have been dropped, including those against former congressman Seth Paisano Wood and his brother Roberto. The brothers were arrested in 2019 for allegedly running a drug trafficking network in eastern Honduras but were never formally charged.
Criticism Mounts
The reform has been widely criticized, with many questioning the motives behind it. In a country where a former president is facing drug trafficking charges in the United States, the decision to make it harder to prosecute money launderers has raised eyebrows.
- Chief Prosecutor’s Concerns: Luis Javier Santos, chief prosecutor for Honduras’ Special Prosecutor’s Unit Against Corruption Networks (UFERCO), believes that the reform has given criminals immunity from prosecution. “Entire gangs have been let out of prison because of this,” he said.
- Attorney General’s Condemnation: The Honduran Attorney General’s Office has also condemned the reform, calling it a guarantee of impunity granted by the legislature to organized and white-collar crime.
A Pattern of Protection?
This is not the first time that Honduras’ government has faced criticism for its handling of corruption cases. In 2019, the country passed a law that was criticized for protecting politicians from investigation into embezzlement of public funds. More recently, the government’s plan to grant amnesty to officials who served under former President Manuel Zelaya sparked outrage.
The Honduran government has faced mounting pressure to address its corruption problem, but critics say that reforms like this one are simply a way to protect those in power from accountability. As the country continues to grapple with organized crime and corruption, many are left wondering what the true motives behind these reforms really are.