Honduras' Libre Party Mobilizes for National Strike to Defend State Electric Company

Honduras' ruling Libre party has instructed its members nationwide to organize assemblies aimed at staging a national strike to defend the state-owned electric company, ENEE. The party's national coordination secretary, Hortensia Zelaya, announced the decision following a meeting with departmental coordinators.

Libre is firmly against the privatization of ENEE, asserting it should remain a public utility for Hondurans. This position mirrors the government's repeated assurances that the electric company will not be privatized.

President Xiomara Castro has urged the 128 members of the National Congress to approve reforms for ENEE before her official trip to Europe. She emphasized that the company remains Honduran property and highlighted the need for reforms due to ENEE's significant accumulated losses, which hinder investments in critical sectors like health, education, and infrastructure. Castro noted that multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, BID, and the International Monetary Fund support these proposed financial reforms.

In a strong warning to potential protesters, Castro stated, "I want you to understand that if you want to be in assemblies or go to the street, we also have a party and the strength to go to the street. Either you respect Honduras or you respect it, because we are working to serve Honduras."