Honduran anti-corruption advocate leaves country after receiving threats 

A prominent anti-corruption advocate in Honduras fled the country with her family after receiving threats threatening their safety for publishing a report about the administration of newly elected President Xiomara Castro. 

Gabriela Castellanos is the director of the National Anti-Corruption Council, which oversees wrongdoings in Honduran government administrations. On May 25, the group published a report detailing cases of nepotism within Castro's administration.

According to the report, there is a “concentration of power” within the government that has been growing after several government posts had been given to relatives since she was elected in the 2021 presidential elections. 

“Governmental power has been acquired by a single family when Mrs Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento was elected as president of the Republic of Honduras,” the report said, using the president’s full name. 

According to the report, Castro’s son with former President Manuel Zelaya, Jose Manuel Zelaya Castro was appointed to be a presidential advisor, while their other son was named private presidential secretary. Other family members were appointed ambassadorships and ministerial posts.

After publishing the report, Castellanos allegedly received death threats, although it has not been disclosed who was responsible for the threats. In light of the situation, she decided to leave the Central American country for an undisclosed location. 

She also filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, claiming she “found herself in a situation of risk.”

“We will continue fighting against corruption,” Castellanos said via Twitter. “Those who must be quiet are the cowards, not the brave voices of the Hondurans who work to pass down a Honduras worthy of being called motherland.”

Carlos Hernandez, the director of the Association for a More Just Society, the local branch of Transparency International, confirmed that Castellanos left Honduras on the advice of security experts. 

“This wasn’t handled openly until she arrived at her destination,” Hernández said. “Not even her people knew the details of her departure because there was an imminent threat. Only a small group of us knew, but I can confirm that she left the country and I have been in touch with her.”