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Feds subpoena Hasan Piker, Medea Benjamin over Cuba trips

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FIRST ON FOX: Federal officials have served subpoenas to Marxist political influencer Hasan Piker and CodePink cofounder Susan Medea Benjamin as part of a wider investigation into whether U.S. organizations and leaders violated U.S. laws and sanctions in supporting Cuba’s communist regime, Fox News Digital has learned.

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Piker and Benjamin are among those caught in a federal inquiry into whether activists who traveled to Cuba in March violated U.S. sanctions laws through the financing, coordination or delivery of goods to Cuba, including potential contacts with Cuban government personnel or entities on the island. The administrative subpoenas were sent to the pair by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control

The administrative subpoenas — called «Requests for Information,» or RFI — seek financial, logistical and communications information revolving around trips the two widely bragged about making to the island nation in March with delegations of the «Nuestra América Convoy,» or «Our America Convoy,» from a global network of communist sympathizers, activists and influencers who brought supplies to the country’s ruling Communist Party of Cuba, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The investigation is part of a broader effort by officials at Treasury, State and Justice departments to curb malign foreign influence operations inside the United States, particularly activities tied to support for political violence, extremist movements or acts the U.S. government classifies as terrorism. The scrutiny reflects growing concern among federal authorities and lawmakers over whether foreign actors and aligned organizations are attempting to shape American political discourse, mobilize activists, sow discord and normalize rhetoric that could encourage violence or undermine U.S. national security interests.

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According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham has pumped $278 million into nonprofit groups that have pushed pro-China, pro-Cuba, anti-U.S. narratives and street protests for almost a decade, since his marriage in February 2017 to CodePink co-founder Jodie Evans, who is also being investigated for her role in the March trip. CodePink received $1.33 million from Singham after he married Evans.

POWER COUPLE OF CHAOS: HOW A TYCOON AND ACTIVIST BUILT A ‘REVOLUTIONARY BASE’ AT THE HOUSE OF SINGHAM

Hasan Piker, a Democratic Socialists of America member, and CodePink co-founder Jodie Evans meet in Havana, Cuba, as part of a «United Front» supporting the communist regime. (NO ACCESS EDGE/NNS/FNS/OUTKICK/CodePink)

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In mid-March, organizations in the Singham network — from the Venceremos Brigade to People’s Forum, a hub for communist causes in New York City — were leaders of the Nuestra American Convoy, which included an estimated 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations. The organizations included Democratic Socialists of America, a U.S. nonprofit that promotes Piker as a headline member.

The investigation by the Office of Foreign Assets Control is part of a broader dragnet that includes as many as 40 American citizens who joined foreign nationals, including a controversial Brazil activist, Thiago Avila, who are part of a global network of anti-U.S. Marxists, communists and socialists. Additional subpoenas are expected.

The administrative subpoenas mark a serious escalation by the Trump administration against a far-left nonprofit activist network that has spent years defending communist regimes, from Cuba to China, while presenting its work as humanitarian aid, anti-war organizing and «solidarity» with people «oppressed» by the «imperialist» U.S «colonial power.»

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As reported, a Fox News Digital investigation has identified 145 U.S. nonprofits and activist groups with $1 billion in collective revenues that Justice and Treasury Department officials are investigating as part of a wider influence campaign by Cuba’s communist regime and other foreign actors. According to public statements, it’s believed that delegation members stayed at a hotel the U.S. State Department has put on a «Cuba Restricted List,» as businesses directly tied to the communist government of Cuba, designated a state sponsor of terrorism.

U.S. law imposes broad restrictions on financial transactions involving Cuba, primarily through the «Cuban Asset Control Regulations,» administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Those rules generally prohibit unlicensed travel-related transactions and the export of goods or services to Cuba, with limited exceptions for journalism, humanitarian projects, educational programs and certain activities meant to support the Cuban people.

WHO IS HASAN PIKER? MEET THE FAR-LEFT STREAMER WHO IS STIRRING UP CONTROVERSY ONLINE AND DIVIDING DEMOCRATS

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Hasan Piker standing outside his West Hollywood home

Marxist political influencer Hasan Piker stands outside his home in West Hollywood, Calif., pointing silently to his dog Kaya to direct her back into his home. (MB/Splash for Fox News Digital)

Piker, one of the most influential political streamers on Twitch, has built a massive online following with a mix of Marxist politics, anti-American commentary and inflammatory statements that have repeatedly drawn public backlash.

On March 10, Piker posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the message: «I’M GOING TO CUBA.»

In an Instagram post from the trip, Singham’s wife, Evans, smiled widely in Havana, wearing a red-and-white Palestinian scarf, or kefiyyeh, around her neck, while standing beside Piker, who looked seriously into the camera.

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On a livestream this week, Piker said that the Justice Department’s indictment of Cuban leader Raúl Castro is a «sham» with «no legal standing,» designed to create a pretext for escalating U.S. pressure on the island. Piker argued that Trump is acting like a «playground bully.»

Fox News Digital recently observed Piker outside his Los Angeles home escorting his dog, Kaya, outside the house for a bathroom break early one morning. Kaya, a large-breed dog that is a mix of Tibetan Mastiff, Chow Chow, and St. Bernard, has been the beloved subject of an online campaign, dubbed «Free Kaya,» over allegations Piker trained Kaya with a shock collar that transmits painful stimuli as part of behavior training. At one moment, Piker silently stood over Kaya and gestured with a finger for her to return to the house after relieving herself. Later, Kaya was observed being walked and driven by a woman leaving Piker’s home.

Benjamin has made her mark as an activist gadfly who stages media spectacles at Congressional hearings, defense industry trade conferences and the homes of government officials, yelling invectives, chants and slogans, branding herself as «anti-war,» but actually running a pattern of messages denouncing the U.S. and uplifting communist and authoritarian regimes from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Chinese Communist Party and the Communist Party of Cuba.

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Fox News Digital recently observed Benjamin outside her colorful home in Washington, D.C., with her partner and fellow activist Tighe Barry, who accompanied her on the trip to Havana.

Piker has been criticized for saying that «America deserved 9/11,» a remark he later said was poorly phrased, and for past comments about former Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, a Navy SEAL veteran who lost an eye in Afghanistan. More recently, critics, including Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., have accused Piker of amplifying anti-Semitic rhetoric after Oct. 7, while Piker has denied antisemitism and said his criticism is aimed at Israel, not Jews.

FAR-LEFT STREAMER HASAN PIKER DEFENDS HIMSELF FROM ANTISEMITISM ACCUSATIONS IN INTERVIEW WITH JEWISH OUTLET

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The larger group under scrutiny includes Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., according to sources, with investigators examining whether Omar may have funded her daughter’s travel to Cuba. Omar didn’t respond to an earlier request for comment about her daughter’s trip.

Piker, Benjamin, Singham, Evans and CodePink didn’t respond to requests for comment.

According to sources, the Office of Foreign Assets Control is also investigating CodePink’s DC Coordinator, Olivia DiNucci, a former Division I basketball star from Emerson College in Boston. Her unassuming, girl-next-door persona often gains her entry into coveted spaces that she then disrupts with loud theatrics. She joined a convoy led by the Brazilian activist, Avila.

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RED WEALTH, DARK MONEY: HOW AN AMERICAN TYCOON DEPLOYS MAO’S PLAYBOOK AGAINST THE WEST

Tycoon Neville Roy Singham speaking at a forum with Jodie Evans

Tycoon Neville Roy Singham with wife Jodie Evans. In 2025, he argues in Shanghai that he support the «new world order» of the Chinese Communist Party, which includes control over Cuba. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images and Global South Academic Forum)

Federal investigators are examining whether the caravan’s financing, logistics, coordination or delivery of goods crossed legal lines under U.S. sanctions law, sources said.

Legal experts told Fox News Digital that the subpoenas could determine whether prosecutors pursue a criminal case under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, known as IEEPA, or whether the matter remains a civil enforcement issue handled by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers U.S. sanctions programs.

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The Office of Foreign Assets Control can impose civil penalties under a «strict liability» standard, meaning the government does not have to prove intent. The Justice Department, by contrast, generally must show that a defendant willfully violated the law in a criminal case, often through evidence of concealment, evasion or knowing participation in prohibited transactions.

In a long livestream on Saturday, Piker interviewed another influencer, Ashley St. Clair, about having a baby with billionaire Elon Musk, railed against Trump, defended the communist leaders of Cuba and free-associated about other topics in the news, including a shooting outside the White House, decrying the chaos in America. «It’s f@*&ing terrifying,» he said.

REP ILHAN OMAR’S DAUGHTER STRIKES HARD-CORE COMMUNIST POSE AS MOM BATTLES CLAIMS SHE IS RICH

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Medea Benjamin (right) and Olivia DiNucci (center) of CodePink protest against the U.S. war in Iran. (Fox News Digital)

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Trump amenazó con imponer aranceles del 100% a los países europeos que apliquen impuestos a los gigantes tecnológicos

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El presidente estadounidense Donald Trump amenazó este viernes con imponer aranceles del 100% a las importaciones provenientes de los países europeos que establezcan un impuesto sobre los servicios digitales de grandes empresas tecnológicas de EE.UU., una iniciativa que actualmente se encuentra en debate dentro del bloque comunitario.

El anuncio fue realizado a través de Truth Social, la red social del mandatario, pocas horas después de que en el Parlamento Europeo volviera a discutirse la posibilidad de crear un gravamen común para compañías como Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta y Microsoft, con el objetivo de aumentar la recaudación del presupuesto europeo.

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“Numerosos países europeos han estado debatiendo la inminente implementación de un impuesto a los servicios digitales aplicable a empresas estadounidenses. Algunos de estos países están a punto de llevarlo a cabo“, escribió Trump.

En ese mismo mensaje lanzó una advertencia que elevó la tensión entre ambas potencias comerciales. “Que esta declaración sirva para advertir que cualquier país que imponga dicho impuesto se enfrentará inmediatamente a un arancel del 100% sobre todos y cada uno de los productos enviados a los Estados Unidos de América“, afirmó.

El logotipo de Google en un centro de investigación de la compañía en Mountain View, California. La empresa es una de las multinacionales tecnológicas que podrían quedar alcanzadas por el impuesto a los servicios digitales que analiza la Unión Europea. (Foto: Reuters/Carlos Barria)

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El mandatario también sostuvo que esa medida prevalecería sobre cualquier entendimiento comercial vigente. “Este arancel prevalecerá sobre los acuerdos comerciales establecidos con dicho país, independientemente de si han sido implementados, firmados o no“, aseguró, al tiempo que remarcó que la sanción comercial ”se impondrá de inmediato“.

La amenaza llega apenas un día después de que los países de la Unión Europea aprobaran el acuerdo comercial negociado con Washington durante el último año. Ese entendimiento contempla que los productos industriales estadounidenses ingresen al mercado europeo sin pagar aranceles, mientras que las exportaciones del bloque hacia Estados Unidos queden sujetas a un gravamen máximo del 15%.

Leé también: Trump dijo que EE.UU. está “listo y dispuesto” para ayudar a Venezuela tras los dos terremotos

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Sin embargo, el conflicto entre ambas partes está lejos de resolverse. Para la administración Trump, además de los aranceles existen las denominadas “barreras no arancelarias”, entre las que incluye regulaciones ambientales, normas digitales y políticas impositivas que, según Washington, perjudican especialmente a las empresas estadounidenses.

En ese escenario aparece el llamado Impuesto sobre los Servicios Digitales (Digital Service Tax), un tributo que varios gobiernos europeos impulsan bajo el argumento de que las grandes plataformas tecnológicas generan miles de millones de dólares en ingresos dentro de sus mercados, pero terminan tributando una proporción mucho menor al declarar sus ganancias en países con una carga fiscal reducida.

Las oficinas de Microsoft en Issy-les-Moulineaux, en las afueras de París. (Foto: Reuters)

Las oficinas de Microsoft en Issy-les-Moulineaux, en las afueras de París. (Foto: Reuters)

Desde la Casa Blanca consideran que ese impuesto discrimina a las empresas estadounidenses porque, en la práctica, alcanza principalmente a gigantes tecnológicos con sede en ese país.

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En rigor, la respuesta de Bruselas no tardó en llegar. Un portavoz de la Comisión Europea rechazó la amenaza y sostuvo que el bloque responderá si Estados Unidos concreta la medida.

«Las medidas unilaterales contra políticas legítimas son injustificadas“, afirmó el funcionario europeo. Además, aseguró que la Unión Europea reaccionará ”rápidamente y con determinación» si Washington decide imponer nuevos aranceles.

El nuevo cruce se produce en un momento especialmente sensible para la industria tecnológica. Las tensiones comerciales con China y las dificultades en las cadenas globales de suministro derivadas de los conflictos en Medio Oriente ya afectaron la disponibilidad de componentes electrónicos y minerales estratégicos para el sector.

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Leé también: Trump dijo que unos vándalos dañaron su estanque reflectante, pero unos documentos internos cuentan otra historia

Las principales empresas tecnológicas estadounidenses mantienen además una estrecha relación con Trump. Sus máximos ejecutivos respaldaron públicamente al mandatario durante su regreso a la Casa Blanca y realizaron importantes aportes económicos a su campaña, aunque algunas de las políticas comerciales impulsadas por el propio gobierno también terminaron impactando sobre sus costos de producción.

Ahora, la posibilidad de que Europa avance con un impuesto común a las multinacionales digitales amenaza con abrir un nuevo frente en la disputa comercial transatlántica, en momentos en que ambos bloques intentaban estabilizar su relación tras meses de negociaciones. Si ninguna de las partes cede, la pulseada podría derivar en una nueva escalada arancelaria con consecuencias para el comercio internacional y para sectores productivos a ambos lados del Atlántico.

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$600 million worth of heroin, meth and other seized drugs set on fire in Burma

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Video emerged Friday showing hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of heroin, methamphetamine and other confiscated illegal drugs being set on fire in Burma .

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More than 50 combined tons of those drugs, as well as opium, ketamine, marijuana and crystal meth – estimated to be worth $600 million – were set ablaze in the southeast Asian country to mark the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, according to The Associated Press.

This year, the street value of drugs destroyed was more than double last year’s total, said Police Lt. Col. Aung Myat Soe of Yangon’s Anti-Narcotics Police Force. In Yangon alone, some $321 million worth of 31 different types of drugs were set ablaze, Aung Myat Soe added.

HIDDEN TUNNEL DISCOVERED IN TIJUANA MAY HAVE SUPPORTED CROSS-BORDER TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS

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Smoke and flame rise from burning illegal narcotics during a destruction ceremony marking the U.N.’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on the outskirts of Yangon, Burma, on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Thein Zaw/AP)

Footage taken in Yangon showed a massive array of drugs engulfed in a raging inferno, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Burma has been a major source of illegal drugs destined for East and Southeast Asia, despite repeated efforts to crack down, and has long been one of the world’s largest producers of heroin and methamphetamine.

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Drugs set on fire in Burma

More than 50 tons of heroin, opium, ketamine, methamphetamine, marijuana and crystal meth were burned on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Burma, to mark the U.N.’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. (AP)

Violent political unrest in Burma following the military takeover in 2021 — which has led into a civil war between the military government and its pro-democracy opponents, as well as ethnic armed groups — has caused an increase in drug production, experts told the AP.

FEDS SEIZE $6.4 MILLION WORTH OF COCAINE ABOARD OIL TANKER AT PORT OF LOS ANGELES, ARREST SUSPECTED CARTEL SMUGGLER

Police officer stands next to confiscated drugs in Burma

A police officer stands in front of seized illegal narcotics during a destruction ceremony marking the U.N.’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on the outskirts of Yangon, Burma, on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Thein Zaw/AP)

In January, the military government claimed the country’s largest-ever seizures of illicit drugs and drug-manufacturing equipment, taken from a total of 12 drug production sites during a series of raids in the northern part of Shan state.

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The U.N. says its June 26 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is «an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.»

«Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society,» the U.N. added.

Firefighter stands next to drugs set ablaze in Burma

Firefighters spray water in front of illegal narcotics being burnt during a destruction ceremony in Burma on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Thein Zaw/AP)

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«Global drug use and the number of drugs on the market have been increasing in the past decades. The century-long dominance of heroin in illicit global opioid markets is increasingly being challenged by changes in the illegal supply of opioids,» it added. «Production, seizures and use of cocaine continue to rise, while low costs of manufacture and reduced risks of detection of synthetic drugs are contributing to their increase on illicit drug markets.»

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Gobierno de Honduras acredita aumento salarial a maestros y asegura cumplimiento de acuerdos con el magisterio

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Útiles escolares y billetes de lempira hondureños se disponen sobre una mesa frente a un pizarrón verde con el emblema de una escuela de Honduras. (Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)

El Gobierno de la República anunció este viernes que el aumento salarial para el sector docente ya comenzó a hacerse efectivo con el pago correspondiente al mes de junio, beneficio que fue acreditado a miles de maestros a nivel nacional.

La información fue dada a conocer mediante un comunicado oficial emitido por Casa Presidencial, en el que se detalla que el ajuste salarial forma parte de los acuerdos alcanzados con el gremio magisterial y representa un reconocimiento al trabajo que realizan los docentes hondureños.

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Según el documento, el pago acreditado este mes incorpora el incremento acordado durante las negociaciones sostenidas entre las autoridades gubernamentales y representantes del sector educativo.

“El Gobierno de la República informa al noble qgremio magisterial y al pueblo hondureño en general que, a partir de hoy, se inició a hacer efectivo el pago de junio con el aumento salarial acordado con las maestras y maestros del país”, señala el comunicado.

Miles de maestros comenzaron a recibir el incremento salarial acordado. (FOTO: La Tribuna)
Miles de maestros comenzaron a recibir el incremento salarial acordado. (FOTO: La Tribuna)

Las autoridades destacaron que esta medida constituye un reconocimiento a la labor que desempeñan los docentes en la formación de la niñez y la juventud hondureña, resaltando la importancia del magisterio dentro del sistema educativo nacional.

De acuerdo con el pronunciamiento oficial, los maestros representan uno de los pilares fundamentales para el desarrollo del país y desempeñan un papel esencial en la construcción de mejores oportunidades para las futuras generaciones.

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El aumento salarial ya se refleja en el pago de junio de los docentes hondureños. (FOTO: La Tribuna)
El aumento salarial ya se refleja en el pago de junio de los docentes hondureños. (FOTO: La Tribuna)

El Gobierno afirmó que el cumplimiento del incremento salarial también busca dignificar la profesión docente, fortalecer las condiciones laborales y respaldar el trabajo que diariamente realizan miles de educadores en las aulas.

“Este cumplimiento representa un reconocimiento justo a quienes, con vocación, entrega y compromiso, forman diariamente a la niñez y la juventud hondureña”, expresa el documento difundido por Casa Presidencial.

Las autoridades también señalaron que la acción refleja el compromiso del Estado con la educación pública y con el fortalecimiento del sistema educativo nacional.

Asimismo, indicaron que el cumplimiento del acuerdo se realiza mediante mecanismos responsables y transparentes, en un esfuerzo por mantener el diálogo y la cooperación con el sector magisterial.

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El comunicado añade que el Ejecutivo continuará impulsando políticas orientadas a mejorar las condiciones laborales de los docentes, así como iniciativas encaminadas a fortalecer la calidad educativa en el país.

Durante los últimos meses, representantes del magisterio y funcionarios del Gobierno sostuvieron diversas reuniones para abordar temas relacionados con salarios, beneficios laborales y necesidades del sistema educativo.

El ajuste salarial era una de las principales demandas planteadas por el sector docente, que venía solicitando el cumplimiento de compromisos económicos y mejoras en sus condiciones laborales.

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El Gobierno informó que el ajuste salarial ya fue acreditado al magisterio. (FOTO: La Prensa)
El Gobierno informó que el ajuste salarial ya fue acreditado al magisterio. (FOTO: La Prensa)

Las autoridades sostienen que la inversión en educación y en el personal docente constituye una apuesta estratégica para el desarrollo nacional y el fortalecimiento del capital humano.

“Con esta acción, el Gobierno honra la palabra empeñada y reafirma su compromiso de dignificar la labor docente, fortaleciendo las condiciones del magisterio nacional mediante hechos concretos, responsables y transparentes”, añade el comunicado.

Finalmente, el Gobierno reiteró su disposición de continuar trabajando junto al sector educativo para impulsar nuevas acciones que beneficien a los docentes y contribuyan al fortalecimiento del sistema educativo hondureño.

Las autoridades concluyeron señalando que invertir en los maestros es invertir en el presente y en el futuro de Honduras, al considerar que la educación sigue siendo uno de los principales motores para el desarrollo del país.

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