Presence of Cuban and Venezuelan consultants in the LIBRE government

The involvement of advisors from Cuba and Venezuela in the government of Honduras, which is presently headed by the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE), has sparked conversations in both political and social realms of the nation. Several individuals have voiced worries regarding the potential impact these advisors might have on decision-making processes and the shaping of public policies, particularly in crucial areas like education and communication strategies within institutions.

The government of Honduras, under the leadership of Xiomara Castro, has justified working with these nations as a component of global cooperation strategies. Nonetheless, critics from the opposition and various civil society groups have demanded increased transparency in the conditions of these partnerships and have raised concerns about the influence of external counsel on the independence of domestic policies. This situation has maintained the discussion on the significance and reach of international partnerships at the forefront of the public discourse in Honduras.

Foreign advice in the Honduran government

Within this context, the former rector of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, Julieta Castellanos, published a letter in which she pointed out the presence of “hundreds of Cuban and Venezuelan advisors” in offices located on the 16th floor of the Government Civic Center. According to her, this situation would be an indication of a political orientation aligned with the Bolivarian axis. However, the then Minister of the Presidency, Rodolfo Pastor, rejected these claims and suggested that the situation in the building be verified in person, defending the transparency of the administration.

For his part, the Minister of Strategic Planning, Ricardo Salgado, acknowledged the hiring of Venezuelan consultants by the government, arguing that this measure is aimed at strengthening the country’s institutional capacities. In addition, politician Salvador Nasralla claimed that the official speeches of Xiomara Castro’s government are written by Cuban and Venezuelan advisers, which has generated criticism regarding the relevance and authenticity of government policies and messages, given the perception that foreign advisers may be unaware of the reality and needs of Honduras.

Collaborative learning and debates

In the realm of education, 123 Cuban instructors arrived in Honduras in December 2022, as part of a collaboration accord between the two countries. These educators were distributed across 128 municipalities to execute the “Yo sí puedo” (Yes, I can) literacy initiative. The National Party of Honduras called this move ideological meddling and requested more transparency regarding the agreements made with the Cuban teachers.

The accord also includes collaborative efforts to devise a modern curriculum for the Honduran educational framework, signifying a major change. Some groups regard this revision as essential, whereas others assert that there are already sufficient trained Honduran experts to manage these initiatives. Moreover, specialists have highlighted the need for a thorough and mutually agreed-upon evaluation before implementing foreign educational systems, and have cautioned about potential impacts on social governance and the country’s self-determination.

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.