The Political Section is responsible for advising the Ambassador on political developments in Honduras and on foreign policy issues affecting U.S. - Honduran relations. The section also reports to Washington on Honduran internal developments and presents U.S. views on international issues to Honduran government agencies.

The Political Section recommends the following reports for more detailed information on Honduras:

Trafficking in Persons Report 2007

Honduras: 2006 Country Report on Human Rights Practices

Country Reports on Terrorism 2006

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006

Honduras: International Religious Freedom Report 2006

Trafficking in Persons Information, United States Department of Justice

Trafficking in Persons in the Western Hemisphere - Organization of American States

Background Notes

Consular Information Sheet

Political Overview

A republic since 1821, Honduras has a history of political instability and rule by the military. However, a democratic transition has been underway since 1980, when elections were held for a constituent assembly that subsequently produced Honduras' current constitution. Free and fair elections for President, legislators, and municipal governments were held in 1981, 1985, 1989, 1993, 1997, and 2001.

Under its constitution, Honduras has three branches of government:

- a president, elected for a four year term and not subject to re-election.

- a 128 member unicameral Congress elected for a four year term.

- an independent judiciary headed by a fifteen member Supreme Court elected for a seven year term by Congress.

Since 1994, Honduras has also had a semi-autonomous Public Ministry headed by an Attorney General, who is elected by Congress every five years. The Public Ministry takes the lead in most public prosecutions, including corruption and organized crime.

Throughout the 20th century, electoral politics have been dominated by two parties, the currently ruling National Party (PN) and the main opposition Liberal Party (PL). Both parties are centrist in orientation and favor democratic institution-building, free markets, and free trade. The Liberal Party won the November 2005 presidential elections and won a plurality in the Congress.