US sanctions former Honduran president Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa, family

Admin I Tuesday, July 20, 2021

WASHINGTON – The United States of America has sanctioned former President of Honduras,  Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa and former First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla Avila for  their involvement in significant corruption. The US also designated their children, in effect barring them from entering into the United States of America.

In a statement, Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken said while in office, President Lobo accepted bribes from the narco-trafficking organization Los Cachiros in exchange for political favors.

“As First Lady, Rosa Lobo engaged in significant corruption through fraud and misappropriation of public funds for her personal benefit”, Blinken said  adding  that while their corrupt acts undermined the stability of Honduras’ democratic institutions, former President Lobo has not yet been convicted  while Rosa Lobo has been released from prison awaiting a retrial.

He explained that these designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021.

“Under this authority, designated officials of foreign governments involved in significant corruption and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.

“ I am also announcing the designation of the following members of the Lobos’ immediate family:  their son, Fabio Porfirio Lobo; their daughter, Ambar Naydee Lobo Bonilla; and the Lobos’ minor child”, he said.

These designations, he said reaffirm U.S. commitment to combating the corruption and disregard for the rule of law that hinders progress in Honduras and that the Department will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for corrupt actors and combat impunity in the region and globally.