An ICEFI study concludes that corruption in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras covers "virtually all sectors" and in Guatemala alone, the losses generated are estimated at $550 million per year.
The book "Corruption: Its Paths and Impact on Society and an Agenda to Confront it in the Central American North Triangle", "... studies the relationship between corruption and democracy, highlighting that corruption in the C.A.N.T -El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - has special characteristics derived from historical aspects, such as the construction of weak states, periods of authoritarianism, civil war and counterinsurgency systems, and the impairment of judicial independence."
Using its corporate power and taking advantage of the power vacuum that is afflicting the State, a public university in Costa Rica is paying first world salaries, exacerbating the inequality that exists between Costa Ricans and severely distorting the labor market.
EDITORIAL
The degeneration of democracy which is happening in a lot of Latin American countries has Costa Rica as an example, a country which historically used to be a shining example of the best way to live in society.
The only routes to success that exist, "whether they are right wing or left wing, are those requiring structural reforms to boost value, and prudence in the administration of the State".
"In Latin America, ... not all countries take advantage of the bonanza in the same way ... [the bonanza] in prices of raw materials, low interest rates, easy access to the international financial markets and in receiving FDI are abundant ...
Juan Orlando Hernández has assumed the presidency of a country affected by a serious fiscal deterioration, criminal violence and lack of public and private investment.
The new president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, assumes command of the country in a very complex environment, where the lack of adequate infrastructure, high fiscal deficits and deteriorating social conditions seriously affect the country's competitiveness internationally.
Juan Orlando Hernández was officially declared the winner of elections in Honduras by the Tribunal Electoral.
The entity responsible for overseeing the election process today made official Hernández's triumph in the elections held last Sunday in Honduras.
With 81.54% of polling stations, Hernandez leads with 35.88% of the vote over the 29.14% gained by Castro, the candidate of the Libertad y Refundación (Libre) party and wife of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, reported Nacion.com.
Forecasting more risk of social unrest for Nicaragua than Costa Rica in 2014, indicates ignorance of the political, economic and social realities of Central America.
EDITORIAL
The print edition of "The World in 2014" by The Economist Intelligence Unit reported a measurement of the risk of social unrest in 150 countries, categorizing them into 5 levels.
Honduras starts a new stage of political and economic reconstruction, based on national reconciliation.
The new president started this difficult assignment by ratifying a resolution by the National Assembly granting immunity for all those involved in the deposition of Manuel Zelaya.
Lobo remarked he is assuming leadership of the country in the midst of its "toughest economic situation ever", with "giant and almost unmanageable foreign debt of $3.5 billion, in addition to very large domestic debt", a situation made even more difficult due to the lack of funds from international institutions since June 2009.
Honduras president-elect started a national dialogue process to develop a 28-year country plan.
The plan will focus on Honduras' most problematic areas: education, health, security and investment.
Porfirio Lobo remarked: "We will review the government plans proposed by all candidates, in addition to all the documents produced in over 30 forums in which the candidates participated.
With 111 votes against and 14 in favor, Congress ruled out reinstating deposed president Manuel Zelaya.
The debate lasted over 9 hours, in which Congress members heard reports from the Supreme Court of Justice, the Public Ministry, the General Attorney and the Human Rights Commissioner.
"Congress rejected the fifth item of the Agreement signed by both Zelaya's and Micheletti's delegations on October 30th.
The Honduran Congress is discussing whether to reinstate deposed president Manuel Zelaya.
If approved, Zelaya would be put back in office until Porfirio Lobo, the new president elect, takes office.
"The Congress' plenary, composed of 128 representatives, must discuss the 5th point of the Tegucigalpa/San José agreement, signed by Zelaya and Micheletti's government, sponsored by the United States", reported Epa.
Porfilio Lobo Sosa, Honduran elected president, announced he will start a large national dialogue.
He expects the dialogue to result in a national unity government that will integrate the populace.
Lobo said he will "... take the necessary steps for us to conduct a large dialogue with all the sectors, which will produce what all Hondurans hope for, an agreed plan for the country", reported Proceso Digital.
Guatemala's highest court of law, the Constitutional Chamber, ruled in favor of the Chamber of Industries and Commerce.
On July, and by order of President Alvaro Colom, Guatemala closed its borders with Honduras. This action was deemed illegal by the supreme court, who warned Colom to 'refrain from doing similar actions', arguing that 'the only Guatemalan entity with the legal power to close the country's borders, for whatever reason, is the national Congress".
An international symposium in the Dominican Republic highlighted "the risk of using democratic powers to execute "coups d'état".
International analysts and prominent politicians and government officials from Latin America, debated on new problems faced by democracies: "abuse of the time staying in power, and situation of the minorities".
This discussion took place in the International Forum "XXX Years of Democracy: Democracy, Growth with Social Equality and Cohesion in Latin America".
With these words, members of the Supreme Electoral Court expressed their determination to U.S. Congressmen and delegates from the State Deparment.
David Matamoros Batson, Court Magistrate, said in Washington that there must be dialogue, and political discussions must be held, "but there will be elections on November 29th".
"Due to the lack of international support for the elections, Court magistrates are in the United States, attempting to get the participation of independent observers such as the National Democratic Institute", reports Honduran newspaper La Prensa.
A report written by the Library of Congress concludes that the removal of former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was legal and Constitutional.
Report Executive Summary:
The Supreme Court of Honduras has constitutional and statutory authority to hear cases against the President of the Republic and many other high officers of the State, to adjudicate and enforce judgments, and to request the assistance of the public forces to enforce its rulings. The Constitution no longer authorizes impeachment, but gives Congress the power to disapprove of the conduct of the President, to conduct special investigations on issues of national interest, and to interpret the Constitution. In the case against President Zelaya, the National Congress interpreted the power to disapprove of the conduct of the President to encompass the power to remove him from office, based on the results of a special, extensive investigation. The Constitution prohibits the expatriation of Honduran citizens.
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