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Honduras Congress approves major criminal law reforms
The National Congress of Honduras has approved a significant package of reforms to the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the National Penitentiary System Law. The legislative changes aim to strengthen the state's ability to combat organized crime, specifically targeting gangs and terrorist structures such as MS-13 and Barrio 18.
Key provisions include increasing prison sentences for gang members to between 30 and 40 years, with life imprisonment for leaders, financiers, and those who recruit minors. Additionally, the reforms establish mandatory life sentences for the assassination of justice or security sector officials. The new laws also classify maras and pandillas as terrorist associations and allow for a maximum security regime involving 23.5 hours of daily cell confinement for gang members.
Other measures include extending the deadline for presenting fiscal requirements for terror suspects from 24 to 48 hours and permitting police searches without a judicial warrant during coordinated institutional operations. Law enforcement is also authorized to remove graffiti related to criminal groups.
While the reforms have been welcomed by legislative leaders and security officials as a historic step toward restoring peace, the President of the Supreme Court, Wagner Vallecillo, noted that some provisions raised legal concerns regarding Honduras's international treaty obligations.
Entities
Association for a More Just Society · Carlos Ledezma · Honduras · LA GACETA · Ministry of Education of Honduras · Ministry of Education of Paraguay · Ministry of Public Affairs · Nasry Asfura · National Congress of Honduras · Por nuestros hijos · Public Ministry · Public Ministry of Honduras
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Former President Xiomara Castro vetoed the pregnancy prevention law on March 17, 2023.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In 2025, 85% of the Ministry of Education's budget was spent on salaries.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ministry of Education hired 4,191 new employees between 2022 and 2026.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Honduran public education system lost 87,000 students between 2022 and 2026.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Comprehensive Education Law for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy was published in La Gaceta on January 22, 2026.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 'Por nuestros hijos' movement filed a complaint with the Public Ministry regarding the pregnancy law publication.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The ASJ has referred its findings regarding education payroll to the Superior Court of Accounts (TSC).
- [● 3 SOURCES] Gang-related tattoos can be used as evidence to support fiscal requirements. hondurasalinstante.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The law creates a Special Penitentiary Force and implements biometric controls in prisons. www.tunota.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Police are authorized to conduct warrantless searches during coordinated inter-institutional operations with a prosecutor present. hondurasalinstante.com · centroamerica360.com · lavozdelprm.org
- [● 5 SOURCES] Gang leaders and financiers face prison sentences ranging from 40 years to life imprisonment. www.tunota.com · extradigital.hn
- [● 7 SOURCES] Assassinating members of the justice or security sectors results in a mandatory life sentence. www.tunota.com · icndiario.com · lavozdelprm.org · www.losmocanos.com · deultimominuto.com