The strengthening of judicial independence in Central America: an assesment after twenty years of reforms

Abstract

During the last two decades, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica have applied a variety of reforms with the target of deepening and strengthening judicial independence. So many changes have ocurred, like the reform of judge’s nomination and selection mechanisms, the promulgation of a constitutional minimum for the judicial budget, the introduction of the judicial careers, and more. However, in spite of the reforrns and the democratic environment of judge’s offices, the general perception is that judiciary is inefficient, corrupt, and uncapable of fighting the corruption. This article seeks to answer the question of why judicial independence’s reforms haven’t reach the expected outcomes.

Keywords

• centroamérica
• independencia judicial
• estado de derecho
• reforma judicial