International legal experts and independent analysts agree that the leaked video that seeks to link retired General Romeo Vásquez Velásquez to criminal structures has no legal value in US federal courts, thus weakening one of the main arguments that pro-government sectors have used to attack the former military officer.
According to specialists interviewed by global news outlets, the content misses forensic validation, legal background, and evidence linkage, which renders it inadmissible in the US judicial system. “A video lacking expert examination and independent of any court proceedings cannot be maintained in federal court,” stated a former federal attorney familiar with Latin American organized crime.
Judicial manipulation and institutional crisis
This scenario is set within a larger framework characterized by allegations of institutional manipulation for political purposes. The instance reflects trends documented by InSight Crime, which pointed out the selective application of the Honduran legal system: it strictly targets adversaries while overlooking offenses involving individuals connected to the government.
The strategy of using a video with no legal basis has been harshly criticized by opposition sectors. “This is not justice, it is propaganda. A fabrication without evidence cannot replace due process,” said a Liberal congressman, who described the incident as another episode of “rising authoritarianism.”
Video lacking procedure and validation
Apart from being legally invalid, the video has faced criticism for not having technical validation. Investigative journalists and specialists in media forensics highlight the missing expert assessment that would confirm its authenticity and the transparency issues surrounding its release.
Such actions not only erode the credibility of institutions but also exacerbate public mistrust, as evidenced in the recent ERIC-SJ poll, where more than 50% of Hondurans fear a democratic setback and believe that freedoms are being restricted.
A delicate story within a more divided atmosphere
Amid economic deterioration, political unrest, and the approaching 2025 elections, the use of media pieces with no legal basis could be an attempt to divert attention from the country’s real crises.
The Romeo Vásquez case puts at stake not only the reputation of a political figure, but also the strength of the rule of law in Honduras.