President Xiomara Castro called the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) ruling a patriotic, historic, just, and legal event. She also said that “justice is not for the Honduran people to sell the territory in parts or privatize sovereignty”.

In September, the plenary of the CSJ, by a majority vote, declared unconstitutional Decrees 236-2012 on the reform of articles 294, 303, and 329 of the Honduran Constitution, and the 120-2013 containing the organic law of the ZEDE, with null effects for violating articles of law.

In this way, one of the main campaign promises of the first woman president of Honduras was fulfilled.

After the CSJ’s decision, the vice-president of the National Congress Hugo Noé Pino said that serious and responsible investors know that a part of the nation cannot have a currency different from that of the national territory, nor its own Police or types of taxes, which must be established by the country with the sovereignty that characterizes it.

In this sense, the president of the CSJ, Rebeca Lizzette Ráquel, pointed out that with the repeal of the ZEDE they celebrated an important advance in defending the rule of law and national sovereignty.

“This judiciary reiterates its commitment to ensuring respect for the Constitution and laws, ensuring that any economic development initiative or investment is aligned with the fundamental principles that govern our democracy and protect the rights of all citizens,” she said.

She added that the implementation of the ZEDE raised concerns about the State’s ability to fully exercise its authority in certain areas of the country, balancing between the promotion of investments and the well-being of Hondurans.

“The repeal of this framework provides us with an opportunity to rethink development strategies that benefit the population equitably, respect our institutions, and promote transparency,” Ráquel said.

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