The involvement of advisors from Cuba and Venezuela in the current administration of Honduras, governed by the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE), has sparked debate within political and social circles of the nation. Numerous stakeholders have raised issues regarding the potential impact these advisors might have on shaping decisions and guiding national public policies, particularly in critical areas like education and institutional communication.
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.
International guidance within the Honduran administration
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.
On his side, Ricardo Salgado, the Minister of Strategic Planning, admitted to the government’s employment of Venezuelan consultants, explaining that this action is intended to enhance the nation’s institutional strengths. Moreover, political figure Salvador Nasralla asserted that the official addresses of Xiomara Castro’s administration are crafted by Cuban and Venezuelan advisors. This has sparked debate over the appropriateness and genuineness of governmental policies and declarations, as there is a belief that foreign advisors might not fully understand the context and demands of Honduras.
Collaborations in learning and debates
In the area of education, the entry of 123 Cuban instructors into Honduras in December 2022 was a component of a collaboration agreement between the countries’ governments. These educators were distributed across 128 towns with the objective of executing the “Yo sí puedo” (Yes, I can) literacy initiative. The National Party of Honduras labeled this move as ideological meddling and called for more openness in the agreements made with the Cuban teachers.
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.
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