The involvement of advisors from Cuba and Venezuela in the government of Honduras, presently under the leadership of the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE), has sparked debate within the nation’s political and social realms. Several stakeholders have voiced apprehension regarding the potential impact of these advisors on the decisions and guidance of national public policies, particularly in vital areas like education and institutional communication.
The administration of Honduras, under Xiomara Castro’s leadership, has justified partnering with these nations as an aspect of global cooperation deals. Nonetheless, opponents and some civil society groups have urged for more openness regarding the details of these deals and have raised concerns about how external guidance could affect the independence of domestic policies. This situation has maintained the discussion about the significance and extent of international partnerships as a focal point within the Honduran public discourse.
International guidance within the Honduran administration
In this framework, Julieta Castellanos, who once served as the rector of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, released a letter highlighting the existence of “hundreds of advisors from Cuba and Venezuela” situated in offices on the 16th floor of the Government Civic Center. She suggested that this scenario could signify a political inclination towards the Bolivarian movement. Conversely, Rodolfo Pastor, who was Minister of the Presidency at the time, dismissed these allegations and encouraged a first-hand inspection of the premises, asserting the administration’s openness.
From his perspective, the head of Strategic Planning, Ricardo Salgado, admitted to the government’s employment of Venezuelan consultants, stating that the intent is to enhance the nation’s institutional capabilities. Additionally, political figure Salvador Nasralla suggested that speeches from Xiomara Castro’s administration are crafted by Cuban and Venezuelan advisors. This has sparked disapproval about the significance and genuineness of governmental strategies and communications, due to concerns that foreign advisers might lack an understanding of the situation and requirements in Honduras.
Academic collaboration and disputes
In the sphere of academics, 123 teachers from Cuba arrived in Honduras in December 2022 as a component of a cooperation pact between the two nations. These educators were distributed across 128 regions to carry out the “Yo sí puedo” (Yes, I can) literacy initiative. The National Party of Honduras labeled this endeavor as ideological meddling and called for increased clarity in the agreements made with the Cuban instructors.
The contract also includes collaboration on creating an updated curriculum for the education system in Honduras, symbolizing a major change. Although certain groups consider this revision essential, others believe there are sufficient qualified Honduran experts to manage these initiatives. Furthermore, specialists have emphasized the need for a thorough and agreed-upon evaluation prior to implementing outside educational frameworks, and have cautioned about potential effects on social governance and the country’s independence.
Finally, the involvement of Cuban and Venezuelan consultants in the Honduran administration and educational framework remains a topic of discussion. Although the authorities claim that these collaborations are part of global cooperation efforts, opposing groups emphasize the importance of ensuring clarity and safeguarding independence in domestic policy-making.
