The reward was initially set in March 2025 at 500,000 lempiras (more than 19,000 dollars) and has since been progressively increasing until reaching the current figure, considered the highest offered in the country’s history for the capture of an individual.

Along with retired generals Venancio Cervantes and Carlos Puerto, the former military leader is accused of the murder of young Isy Obed, during the military uprising (June 28, 2009) against the then constitutional president, Manuel Zelaya (2006-2009).

Obed died on July 5, 2009, after being shot in the head during a demonstration while Zelaya was attempting to return to the country by air, which the armed forces prevented by crossing trucks onto the runway at Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa.

Cervantes and Puerto returned to prison after voluntarily presenting themselves to justice, but the former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff remains a fugitive.

The three retired military officers were arrested on January 5, accused of murdering Obed and attempted murdering Alex Zavala, during the two young men’s participation in a peaceful protest rejecting this illegal and violent usurpation of power.

In another case, the Honduran Public Prosecutor’s Office presented new evidence against Vasquez in May, supporting charges against him for money laundering and links to drug trafficking.

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