Tegucigalpa (Honduras), 1950

By Fernando Antonio da Costa Vieira

Son of Margarita Facussé and Oscar Flores, an influential journalist in Honduras, Carlos Roberto Flores studied at the American School of Tegucigalpa and graduated in industrial engineering from Louisiana State University (LSU). He also completed a master’s degree in finance and international economics at LSU. At the end of the 1970s, he returned to Honduras and began his political career by joining the Liberal Party of Honduras (PLH). In 1994, he became president of Congress and played a key role in strengthening the liberal government of Carlos Reina. In 1997, he was chosen as the PLH’s presidential candidate. Victorious, he took office in 1998 and completed his term in 2002.

During his administration, Honduras was struck by one of the worst natural disasters in its history: Hurricane Mitch, which hit the country between October 22 and November 5, 1998. The hurricane severely impacted the already fragile Honduran economy, forcing the government to seek international aid. Funds were directed toward the most affected sectors of the economy and infrastructure, supported by loans from the World Bank and the IMF. The cost was the adoption of a strict fiscal control policy that curbed public spending and reduced inflation but accelerated income concentration and deepened poverty among the population.

The significant rise in crime led Flores to create the Ministry of Security, aiming to increase police action against criminal groups known as maras. Another significant measure was the limitation of military power, as authority over the Armed Forces was transferred to the presidency. Flores was succeeded by Ricardo Rodolfo Maduro, elected in November 2001 by the National Party of Honduras (PNH).