Honduran President Xiomara Castro has expressed hope for positive dialogue with President-elect Donald Trump on immigration issues, but will reconsider the U.S. military presence in the Central American country if mass deportations become a reality. warned that it was necessary.
In a Spanish-language broadcast to Hondurans celebrating the New Year, Castro warned President Trump not to take unnecessary retaliation against immigrants.
Mr. Castro began his remarks in a hopeful manner regarding the incoming Trump administration. “I would like to express my hope that the new North American administration under democratically elected President-elect Donald Trump will be open to dialogue, constructive and friendly.” Her tone about the relationship quickly became creepy.
Castro went on to warn the Trump administration against mass deportations of Honduran immigrants, which in principle would “provide significant support to the North American economy.” Underscoring the potential impact of mass deportations by the Trump administration, Castro said, “In the face of the hostile attitude of mass deportations of our compatriots, we are considering a change in the politics of cooperation with the United States, especially in the military camp.'' I will have to.” They have maintained military bases on our territory for decades without paying us a dime, and in this case they would lose all reason to exist in Honduras. ”
The most important US military presence is at Soto Cano Air Base, outside Tegucigalpa in central Honduras. More than 500 U.S. military personnel are stationed at the base, according to Joint Task Force Bravo. Soto Cano Air Base, formerly known as Palmerola, has been operational since 1983. According to Joint Task Force Bravo, Websitethe base performs a variety of security missions in Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting U.S. government operations, combating transnational organized crime, and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the region. .
Castro said the United States has not paid a penny for the use of the base in decades, but the Honduran president did not take into account the millions of dollars in foreign aid that the United States sends to the country each year.
According to foreignassistance.gov, the U.S. sent more than $620 million in the first three years of the Biden-Harris presidency.
This amount does not include $4 billion in economic aid sent to Central America's Northern Triangle region, including Honduras, as part of the Biden-Harris package. root cause strategy.
In addition to the foreign aid Honduras receives each year, the more than 200 U.S. companies operating in Honduras make significant financial investments each year. In 2024, the minimum monthly wage was equivalent to USD 329.
Castro's possible concern about President Trump's mass deportation plan may be the threat to remittances sent to the country by immigrants in the United States. A decline in remittances could have a dramatic impact on the country's economy. In 2023, Honduras received more than $9 billion remittance From citizens working in the United States. The annual total will account for nearly 30% of gross domestic product in 2023.
Randy Clark He is a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. Prior to his retirement, he served as Division Chief of Law Enforcement Operations, directing operations for nine Border Patrol stations within the Del Rio, Texas area. Follow him at X (formerly Twitter) @RandyClarkBBTX.
