Honduras judge orders detention of suspect in Maduro Andrews case

A judge has ordered the remand of Marco Antonio Ávila Castellanos, known as ‘El Teniente’, to the El Progreso Penal Center in Yoro, Honduras. The decision maintains a preventive detention order related to the 1997 kidnapping and murder of Ricardo Ernesto Maduro Andrews, the son of former President Ricardo Maduro.

Ávila Castellanos had previously regained his freedom due to an alleged administrative error, but authorities reactivated his custody based on a 2004 arrest warrant. The warrant identifies him as a suspected member of the criminal group ‘Los Bustillo’.

During the hearing, the defense argued that the criminal action should be declared expired due to the time elapsed since the incident. However, the judge rejected this request, citing flight risk and a lack of willingness to submit to justice. The judicial process remains ongoing to determine his legal status and responsibility in the crime.