In a bold response to possible mass deportations threatened by President-elect Donald J. Trump, President Xiomara Castro of Honduras warned that the U.S. military's presence in her country could be at risk. This statement, made during a broadcast address, underscores rising tensions within the region as Latin American leaders confront the implications of a potential Trump administration policy.
Honduras Vows to Remove U.S. Troops Amid Trump Deportation Plans
Honduras Vows to Remove U.S. Troops Amid Trump Deportation Plans
President Xiomara Castro's strong warning against U.S. military presence reflects tensions over potential mass deportations.
On January 3, 2025, President Castro announced that should the U.S. carry through with its threats, Honduras would have to reconsider its military collaboration with the United States, marking the first significant challenge from a regional leader regarding Trump's proposed actions. “We will have to consider a change in our policies of cooperation with the United States,” she stated, emphasizing that U.S. bases in Honduras could "lose all reason to exist" if mass expulsion plans proceed.
Following President Castro's statement, Honduras’s foreign minister, Enrique Reina, elaborated in a radio interview on the legal implications of the situation, indicating that the president has the authority to suspend agreements previously made with the U.S. concerning military bases, including the Soto Cano air base – a strategic site for America’s operations in Central America.
Alongside this threat, President Castro has coordinated with Mexico’s president to address the wider issue of deportations, calling for a meeting of foreign ministers later this month to discuss the fallout and possible actions to take as a united front against Trump’s plans.
President Castro’s firm stance reflects the deepening ties and solidarity among Latin American nations in response to U.S. policies perceived as hostile toward their citizens. With Mexico and Honduras gearing up for potential challenges, the geopolitical landscape of the region may shift significantly, depending on the decisions made in the upcoming months by both the U.S. and its southern neighbors.
Following President Castro's statement, Honduras’s foreign minister, Enrique Reina, elaborated in a radio interview on the legal implications of the situation, indicating that the president has the authority to suspend agreements previously made with the U.S. concerning military bases, including the Soto Cano air base – a strategic site for America’s operations in Central America.
Alongside this threat, President Castro has coordinated with Mexico’s president to address the wider issue of deportations, calling for a meeting of foreign ministers later this month to discuss the fallout and possible actions to take as a united front against Trump’s plans.
President Castro’s firm stance reflects the deepening ties and solidarity among Latin American nations in response to U.S. policies perceived as hostile toward their citizens. With Mexico and Honduras gearing up for potential challenges, the geopolitical landscape of the region may shift significantly, depending on the decisions made in the upcoming months by both the U.S. and its southern neighbors.
