How hitmen and high living lifted lid on looting of Honduran healthcare system
How hitmen and high living lifted lid on looting of Honduran healthcare system
The shooting of a travel agent, prosecutors believe, links the luxury lifestyles of officials with the theft of hundreds of millions from the social security system in a scandal threatening President Juan Orlando Hernández’s hold on power
Nina Lakhani in Mexico City
Wednesday 10 June 2015 14.48 EDT
At first, the attempted murder of a travel agent by two gunmen on motorbikes seemed to be just another grim example of the lawlessness that plagues San Pedro Sula, the second largest city in Honduras – and one of the most of the most violent in the world.
But the intended victim, John Bográn, is widely believed to have been targeted for his alleged role in a massive fraud involving high-ranking government officials who were reportedly involved in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars from the social security system using a network of sham companies which left dying patients without life-saving medicines.
Protesters across Honduras take on alleged social security embezzlement
As the scale and audacity of the fraud in the Honduran institute of social security (known by its Spanish initials as the IHSS) has come to light in recent weeks, thousands have taken to the streets to demand the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernández.
The protests – led by non-partisan groups fed up with blatant political corruption – have parallels with a similar movement in neighbouring Guatemala, where a separate corruption scandal has already led to the fall of the vice-president and several ministers.
More:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/10/hit-men-high-living-honduran-corruption-scandal-president