Inside Roatan’s Municipality: Behind Closed Doors of Media and Manipulation

In the middle of one of the most active campaign seasons Roatan has seen, many residents keep asking the same question: why aren’t the larger local media outlets talking openly about what’s happening? The answer, according to several people who have spoken with ARC+, is straightforward. These outlets rely on paid publicity from political figures, and that financial dependence shapes what is said — and what is kept quiet.

Among all the campaigns, the Liberal Party’s machinery has stood out. It is led by Roatan’s current mayor, who is running for re-election and has built a campaign strategy that touches every corner of the island for his movement. During the internal elections, their events were known for handing out household items, including washers and other appliances, a common practice of course. It was also widely reported — and confirmed by insiders — that people were paid for their votes during the internal election back in early March of 2025, with amounts ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 lempiras at certain voting centers.

The mayor’s approach reflects a clear understanding of marketing and how powerful social media can be. He comes from a family business where maintaining a public image is crucial, especially now that they face competition from another company offering the same services. That background has shaped how he manages his political presence and how closely he maintains his campaign managers watching the flow of information about the island.

One example comes from Gravel Bay, where property owners shared with an insider that spoke to ARC+ a few weeks ago, that they had approached the mayor about cutting roads on their land. They didn’t want to go through the required permitting process, especially because runoff from those roads would flow into the sea and they would need an environmental license which is costly and takes long to obtain. The owners belonged to the National Party at the time. According to this insider, the mayor used this situation to his advantage: if they switched to the Liberal Party, they can cut their roads quietly. An agreement was made, the roads were cut, and the runoff began washing directly into the sea at Gravel Bay beach — and eventually toward the reef after rains, mirroring what recently happened in Camp Bay. As of today, whenever it rains, the runoff is still going into the sea when it rains not only affecting the reef in front of this property. but also making its way down to West End's reef. A few weeks ago, those same owners publicly switched from the National Party to the Liberal Party; they calculatedly and publicly endorsed the mayor’s movement to influence how others saw the movement.

Photograph shared by a diver who witnessed the runoff caused by the roads built in Gravel Bay. She took it upon herself to dive and see what damages had been caused.

This type of political bargaining is not new. During the internals, a candidate from another Liberal movement shared details about the media strategy being used. This person explained that the candidate running for deputy quietly purchased a medium-sized local news page, though at the time no one knew he was behind it. He bought it to promote himself because he already understood that the major outlets were being funded monthly by the mayor and his family’s companies.

The two people running that page were later called into a meeting with the mayor. They were offered a one-time payment of 70,000 lempiras and a monthly payment of 15,000 lempiras from the municipality for publicity if they agreed to promote only the mayor’s movement and remove any negative news about the island — including a story they had just posted about a group of stranded Venezuelans who were begging in Coxen Hole. The request revealed how carefully the mayor manages the island’s public image. While the practice is unethical, it also shows the limitations of such control, as other media still report basic incidents such as accidents or other events that can’t simply be ignored.

During the internal campaigns, whenever the opposing movement voiced concerns online on what projects the island needed that were not being met, the mayor's team would immediately come up with a solution within a matter of hours. Critics say this strategy goes beyond responsiveness. It’s about controlling the narrative. When someone speaks out, they risk being labeled a liar, even when their experiences are shared by dozens of others. The administration then uses its influence over local media to reshape the story and shift blame, hoping to maintain an image of efficiency and transparency.

Behind the scenes, party switching almost never happens for noble reasons. It usually follows private deals — favors, access, or shortcuts that one party is willing to provide. Support doesn’t move because of ideology; it moves because something is promised in return.

A few weeks ago, ARC+ published an article highlighting a problem many residents and property owners have been facing for years: the long delays in getting property inspections processed. Several people took to social media to express their frustration, saying they had been waiting not just months, but years. Some took their frustrations online to report delays of more than four years, with no clear answers and no timeline. The sudden shift raised more questions than answers. Many residents say they’ve been asked for under-the-table payments at the cadaster office in exchange for speeding up inspections.

A local realtor even went on record to point out how damaging these delays are for buyers, sellers, and the island’s real estate market. And within days of the article circulating, the reaction from the municipal office was striking. By the next morning, they published a list of realtors who needed to come in for inspection processing — something people had been requesting for years without success. The quick response after the article went live only strengthened concerns that the system moves when public pressure forces it to.

Published two days after our article.

According to a the team of his opposing movement from the Liberal internals, this pattern isn’t new. They shared that every time their movement called out an issue during the campaign, the municipal office would rush to address it the very next day. The mayor understands the weight social media carries, and he moves quickly to protect his image — sometimes faster than he acts on long-standing problems affecting residents.

The inspection delays — and the sudden reaction after people went public — show how much power visibility now holds. It also shows how much of the island’s problems stay unresolved until they become impossible to ignore.

During the campaign period for the internal elections earlier this year, employees of the Municipality of Roatan —including some who still work there as city council— began speaking out about irregular and potentially illegal practices within the institution. It's important to mention that they were in the opposing movement as the current administration. According to their testimonies, some officials allegedly created companies to capture municipal projects and provide the services the municipality needed themselves. They claim these practices were ignored by the authorities because these employees represented votes: they were expected to support the ruling movement, mobilize their families, and secure political backing. The reports also mention under-the-table payments requested by certain workers to expedite processes, leaving those who followed proper procedures behind. Employees who attempted to report these issues say they were warned or silenced.

Adding to these allegations is a testimony that has gained traction on TikTok through an anonymous account called “RoatanSinFiltro”. In one video, a man who identifies himself as Mynor Siguenza, worked driving the garbage truck for the municipality, he recounts witnessing illegal activities and being reprimanded when he spoke up. According to his testimony, one of his superiors insulted him and another told him to keep quiet. When he went to the main municipal offices to report what he had seen, he says he was told not to get involved and that “this is how things work.”

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/1069b9_498ba818d54e435aaa67e91417abb47c/480p/mp4/file.mp4

Comments on the video reinforce the perception of widespread discontent. Several people claiming to have worked in the municipality say they witnessed “shameless” actions by both high-ranking officials and lower-level staff. One comment stated that the institution “is being kidnapped by the same people” and that it’s time to “completely renew” its personnel. Another comment summed up the general sentiment: “Every day we see the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”

The municipality is also pushing forward several projects, including proposed modifications to the Plan de Manejo del Parque Marino (Marine Park Management Plan). Environmental experts and biologists warn that these changes appear designed to benefit large developments such as Margaritaville and other commercial projects across the island, rather than protecting the ecosystem. During his campaign, the mayor has repeatedly urged residents to vote for all of his city council members, aiming to maintain the current council structure to ensure the approval of “beneficial” projects for Roatan. However, one council member who spoke up during the internal campaigns clarified that the real goal is to maintain control over these initiatives and prevent outside interference in projects endorsed by the mayor and his supporters.

One tactic that, while highly effective, raises serious ethical concerns, is the way this movement has kept many of its employees active on social media. These individuals go online to comment on posts that criticize municipal operations or highlight irregularities, defending their candidates and administration. They often involve friends, family, and, in some cases, create fake accounts to generate additional comments, giving the impression that opposition is minimal. While the mayor does enjoy overall approval, it is not as high as portrayed; much of the apparent support comes from people who are unaware of behind-the-scenes irregularities and misconduct.

Another strategy they have used effectively is the manipulation of public perception through emotionally charged publications. Articles and short stories highlighting the mayor’s family and their contributions to the community are shared widely, often with the aim of connecting emotionally with the audience. While the family has indeed done notable work, these narratives are strategically leveraged to influence opinion. Local media outlets, in many cases, accept payment to disseminate this content, further shaping public perception in favor of the administration.

The municipality has also allowed numerous developments to proceed without the necessary permits. While there are no confirmed allegations of under-the-table payments as seen in Santos Guardiola, the possibility cannot be ruled out, given that many projects are moving forward without proper authorization. Some developments have municipal licenses, but local residents are raising serious concerns. A group of property owners in Lighthouse Estates is preparing collective legal action against a nearby project that is harming the ecosystem and creating safety risks. One resident told ARC+ that her house shakes during the day and warned that if any structural damage occurs, she will also pursue legal action. Across the island, frustration is growing, and residents are beginning to act—whether through legal channels or by reporting issues anonymously—demonstrating a slow but steady movement toward accountability.

Photograph received by off-the-record property owner who is pursuing legal action.

Despite claims that the mayor holds over 90% approval, many residents disagree with that picture. The discontent is real, and it’s larger than what official numbers suggest and the political propaganda shared online to convince others that this is "the reality". It's larger than the amount of "activists" that are paid to rally in the streets for him. People see what’s happening. They see the environmental damage, the political favors, and the curated narrative that hides anything that might blemish the island’s image. But speaking out often comes at a cost. Many people rely on monthly payments or favors, and raising their voice could put that at risk.

What’s unfolding in Roatan echoes the concerns already raised in Santos Guardiola: environmental damage, political maneuvering, and a level of corruption that has become normalized. For now, only part of the story can be told publicly — the part that has been verified. But residents know there is more beneath the surface, and the silence of the larger media isn’t accidental. It’s purchased.

Until all of this changes, the responsibility falls on smaller voices to speak honestly about what is happening on the island. Keep reporting what you see.

It's time to start asking questions.

Is it really all well and under control in Roatan?

Is it +90% approval or +90% manipulation?