Honduras clarifies technical oil studies in La Mosquitia

Honduran Energy Minister Héctor Ordóñez has clarified that current activities off the coast of La Mosquitia are strictly technical studies and do not constitute commercial oil exploitation. The statements follow concerns raised by Garífuna community representatives regarding the potential restart of oil exploration after the company Talos acquired shares previously held by Caribex.

Ordóñez stated that Caribex has been conducting technical work for 13 years and has complied with all legal requirements, including social consultations with indigenous peoples. He emphasized that the government has not yet confirmed the existence of commercially exploitable oil reserves in the area. Any transition from technical studies to a formal exploration or exploitation phase will require explicit authorization from the administration of President Nasry Asfura.

Currently, two vessels are conducting studies at depths of 100 and 1,000 meters. The government maintains that these technical operations do not interfere with local fishing activities.