TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Honduras President Xiomara Castro has sparked controversy with her recent remarks threatening to halt her country’s cooperation with the U.S. military should President-elect Donald Trump proceed with his proposed mass deportations. Castro’s comments, made on New Year’s Day during a national television address, have stirred political tensions domestically, even as the U.S. government has refrained from issuing a response.
In her speech, Castro warned that if Trump follows through with widespread deportations, Honduras would need to reassess its military collaboration with the United States. She stated, “Faced with a hostile attitude of mass expulsion of our brothers, we would have to consider a change of our cooperation policies with the United States, especially in the military realm.” Castro highlighted that the U.S. has maintained a longstanding presence in Honduras without financial contribution and suggested that if mass deportations were to occur, the rationale for this presence in Honduras would diminish. She expressed hope that the incoming Trump administration would be amenable to engaging in dialogue.
Castro’s stance reflects growing apprehension in the region towards Trump’s early policy directives. His previous threats to impose tariffs on Mexico if action was not taken to curb illegal migration and drug trafficking prompted Mexico to consider retaliatory tariffs. Additionally, Trump’s criticism of toll charges for the Panama Canal and insinuation of reclaiming it were met with strong rebuke from Panama’s president.
The primary U.S. military installation in Honduras is situated at Soto Cano Air Base near the capital. Although under Honduran jurisdiction, the U.S. has maintained a substantial presence there since 1983, utilizing it as a pivotal launching site for humanitarian and anti-drug operations in Central America. Joint Task Force Bravo, housed at the base, is described by the U.S. Defense Department as a “temporary but indefinite” deployment.
The U.S. Defense Department declined to comment on Castro’s statements, citing that they relate to campaign rhetoric rather than official policy. Requests for comment from the U.S. Embassy in Honduras remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
Criticism of Castro’s remarks has emerged from her political adversaries within Honduras. Jorge Cálix, a potential presidential contender for the Liberal Party in the upcoming elections, condemned Castro for jeopardizing Honduras’ interests for personal and ideological motives. Political analyst Olban Valladares, contemplating a political bid for the Innovation and Unity Party, criticized Castro’s ultimatum, asserting, “She knows we don’t have the ability to threaten the United States in any way, that the damages it would cause Honduras would be terrible.” Valladares warned that Castro’s stance could potentially exacerbate the vulnerability of Honduran migrants under the Trump administration.
The repercussions of Castro’s statements on future diplomatic relations with the U.S. and the implications for Honduran-American collaboration remain uncertain as both countries navigate the evolving political landscape.
