Honduras is ready to reconsider its military cooperation with the U.S., as President Xiomara Castro emphasizes the potential for an abrupt end to American military presence in response to proposed mass deportations by President-elect Trump.
Honduras' President Promises to Remove U.S. Troops Amid Trump Deportation Threats
Honduras' President Promises to Remove U.S. Troops Amid Trump Deportation Threats
In a bold statement, President Xiomara Castro of Honduras warns of military expulsion should Trump’s deportation plans proceed.
In an emphatic address on Wednesday, President Xiomara Castro of Honduras issued a stark warning regarding the potential expulsion of U.S. troops from the Soto Cano air base. This comes in reaction to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s recent announcement concerning mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, particularly targeting Latin Americans.
Castro's remarks mark the first significant response from a regional leader against Trump’s contentious deportation initiative, which is poised to impact millions residing in the U.S. She asserted that “faced with a hostile attitude of mass expulsion of our brothers,” Honduras would reconsider its longstanding military cooperation with the United States.
The President's speech was broadcast on various media platforms, signaling a united front with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has also expressed concern regarding Trump’s proposed policy changes. The two leaders are set to convene a meeting of foreign ministers later in the month to strategize on how to address the burgeoning issue of deportations.
During her address, Castro criticized the U.S. military presence in Honduras, stating, “Without paying a cent for decades,” they maintain facilities which, under the current circumstances, “would lose all reason to exist.” This sentiment was echoed by Honduras’ foreign minister, Enrique Reina, who emphasized that Castro holds the authority to terminate the military agreement without needing Congressional approval, thereby asserting Honduras' sovereignty in military affairs.
As Latin America braces for potential shifts in U.S. immigration policy, President Castro's threats could pave the way for significant geopolitical changes in regional relations with the United States.
