Cuban advisors in Honduras: cooperation or political interference?

The involvement of advisors from Cuba and Venezuela in the administration of Honduras, currently overseen by the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE), has sparked conversation in both political and public arenas. Different stakeholders have voiced worries regarding the potential impact these advisors might have on policy decisions and the overall direction of national public policies, particularly in crucial areas like education and governmental communication.

The Honduran government, led by Xiomara Castro, has defended collaboration with these countries as part of international cooperation agreements. However, the opposition and sectors of civil society have called for greater transparency in the terms of these agreements and have questioned the impact of foreign advice on the autonomy of national policies. This scenario has kept the debate on the relevance and scope of international collaboration at the center of the Honduran public agenda.

Foreign advice in the Honduran government

In this scenario, Julieta Castellanos, the former chancellor of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, wrote a letter highlighting the presence of “numerous Cuban and Venezuelan advisors” in offices situated on the 16th floor of the Government Civic Center. She suggested that this could signify a political inclination towards the Bolivarian axis. Nonetheless, Rodolfo Pastor, who was the Minister of the Presidency at the time, dismissed these allegations and encouraged a personal verification of the building’s situation, asserting the administration’s transparency.

In his statement, Ricardo Salgado, serving as the Minister of Strategic Planning, admitted to the government’s engagement of consultants from Venezuela. He justified this decision as a step towards bolstering the nation’s institutional strengths. Furthermore, political figure Salvador Nasralla alleged that the speeches delivered by President Xiomara Castro’s administration are crafted by advisers from Cuba and Venezuela. This situation has sparked criticism about the appropriateness and genuineness of the government’s strategies and communications, due to concerns that external advisers might not fully grasp the actual situation and requirements of Honduras.

Educational cooperation and controversies

In the field of education, the arrival of 123 Cuban teachers in Honduras in December 2022 was part of a cooperation agreement between the two governments. These professionals were assigned to 128 municipalities with the aim of implementing the “Yo sí puedo” (Yes, I can) literacy program. The National Party of Honduras described this action as ideological interference and demanded greater transparency in the contracts signed with the Cuban educators.

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.

In summary, the involvement of advisors from Cuba and Venezuela in Honduras’ government and educational sectors remains a topic of discussion. Although the authorities claim these partnerships are a result of international cooperation initiatives, critics emphasize the importance of ensuring openness and safeguarding independence in the country’s decision-making processes.