Honduras' Experiment To Fight Corruption At A Crossroads

The head of an anti-corruption mission in Honduras supported by the Organization of American States (OAS), MACCIH, resigned in recent days, citing lack of support from OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and growing opposition from Honduran authorities. 

MACCIH was created in 2016, following massive protests denouncing corruption in the social security system, and is seen by many as similar to Guatemala's UN-sponsored anticorruption commission, CICIG.

An untimely resignation

Peruvian Juan Jimenez Mayor resigned only a day after Almagro sent a letter to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez expressing his dissapointment in MACCIH's work. 

At the Wilson Center, Eric Olson explains why the resignation comes at a very delicate time. Honduran authorities have struck back against MACCIH efforts in recent weeks, for example, by passing a budget law effectively shielding congressmen from investigations into misuse of public funds. The backlash comes after initial progress led by Jimenez, Olson explains: "MACCIH, under Jiménez’s leadership, has established a special vetted prosecution unit (UFECIC) within the Public Prosecutor’s office to handle highly sensitive anti-corruption investigations. It was also instrumental in creating special anti-corruption courts that would handle these sensitive and technically complex cases".

But for these early efforts to come to fruition and become sustainable, it is important that the OAS mends the wound it inflicted on its own mission, argues Olson. Almagro can do so by picking a credible replacement to Jimenez, and continue to support MACCIH's work on the ground.