Who protects Koriun Inversiones? Edgardo Castro responds

The Koriun Inversiones situation has triggered extensive discussions in Honduras, particularly following remarks by Congressman Edgardo Castro during a recent radio interview. This issue has underscored the scale of the fraud, the supposed institutional shielding, and the inadequate responses from the authorities.

While on the interview, Representative Castro discussed the firm’s activities, the institutions’ response, and the potential involvement of state agents, stressing the importance of a comprehensive inquiry and the immediate need for answers for the numerous affected individuals.

The way the scam operated and failure of institutions

During his address, Congressman Castro explained that Koriun Inversiones functioned openly, dealing with significant amounts of money kept in containers and sacks within its facilities, without any regulatory body stepping in. He noted that despite the vast scale of the financial activities and the numerous individuals visiting every day, neither the National Banking and Insurance Commission, nor law enforcement, nor the prosecutor’s office intervened to halt the operation for years.

Castro criticized the inactivity of the relevant institutions and proposed that this inaction might be connected to shielding top-level authorities. Based on his evaluation, the inquiry into the matter was abruptly stopped, and no additional measures were pursued to determine those accountable or trace any concealed assets. The legislator also noted the involvement of foreign nationals associated with the operation, who managed significant sums of money without limitations, which he believes can only occur with official endorsement.

Political consequences and research suggestions

The representative claimed that the web of support for Koriun Inversiones included leaders across various levels, such as city heads, legal officers, and lawmakers, which supposedly let the scam persist. He highlighted that certain public officials advocated for the firm and insisted that the Public Prosecutor’s Office ought to have questioned or detained those enabling its activities. Additionally, he mentioned organized systems in place to conceal unlawful deeds and the absence of clear operations in the administration of government bodies.

Castro suggested that the Public Prosecutor’s Office provide monetary incentives for individuals who report corruption, believing that this approach might promote public engagement and aid in identifying culprits in incidents like the Koriun Inversiones case. He also discussed the issue of corruption in additional state sectors, including healthcare and the civil registry, highlighting that selling information and misappropriating funds are common practices that undermine public trust.

In his analysis, the deputy linked the Koriun Inversiones case to a broader context of impunity and corruption, where investigations do not advance toward those primarily responsible and where institutional control mechanisms are insufficient. He questioned the lack of concrete actions to recover the funds and punish those who participated in the fraud, and warned about the influence of political and economic interests in decision-making within institutions.

The Koriun Inversiones case, as presented by Congressman Castro, highlights the need to strengthen state oversight, guarantee the independence of investigations, and promote transparency in public management to prevent similar situations from recurring and to restore public confidence in the country’s institutions.