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Honduran President Xiomara Castro has issued a stark warning, threatening to expel US military bases from Honduras if incoming President Donald Trump moves forward with mass deportations of Hondurans starting January 20, 2025. Castro's remarks were made during a televised address on January 5, 2025, where she emphasized the need to reconsider military cooperation with the US, claiming that the long-term presence of bases, such as the Soto Cano Airbase, has not yielded significant benefits for Honduras [8f11fcc0].
The Soto Cano Airbase, which hosts over 1,000 US personnel, is crucial for US operations in Central America. However, Castro criticized the US military presence, stating it lacks justification and does not contribute positively to the Honduran economy [bb4fd025]. The situation is further complicated by the looming threat of deportation for approximately 250,000 Hondurans, as stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Tony García. This potential mass deportation could have severe implications for the Honduran economy, as nearly two million Hondurans currently reside in the US, contributing over 27% to Honduras' GDP through remittances [5981176f].
Foreign Minister Enrique Reina supported Castro's statement, asserting Honduras's authority to suspend US military presence if necessary. Meanwhile, Trump's transition team, represented by Brian Hughes, stated they look forward to engaging Latin American partners on border security, indicating a willingness to discuss these pressing issues [8f11fcc0].
In a related move, President Castro annulled an extradition treaty with the US in August 2024, citing concerns over possible political misuse. This treaty, which had been in effect since 1912, facilitated the extradition of around fifty drug traffickers since 2014. Castro's administration is reassessing its relationship with the US in light of these developments, indicating a shift in policy that could redefine military and diplomatic ties between the two nations [5981176f].
Analysts view Castro's threat to expel US troops as a negotiating tactic, suggesting that the potential US response could worsen bilateral relations. There are discussions within the US military about the possibility of withdrawing from Soto Cano, especially as the base's strategic importance has diminished since the 1980s [bb4fd025].
In a broader context, the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations have sparked outrage across Latin America. A joint statement from Left Voice and various Latin American organizations condemned Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, which they argue amplifies xenophobia and threatens the livelihoods of millions of undocumented workers in the US. They highlighted that Trump intends to deport about 1 million people annually, which could lead to a humanitarian crisis [bd65e852].
Leaders like Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico and Xiomara Castro of Honduras have called for sovereignty and a reevaluation of cooperation with the US. The statement emphasizes the need for cross-border unity among the working class to combat imperialist policies that have exacerbated conditions in Latin America [bd65e852].
Meanwhile, El Salvador continues its aggressive stance against gang violence, with President Nayib Bukele transferring over 2,000 gang members to the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot), a mega-prison designed to hold up to 40,000 inmates. This move is part of a broader strategy to combat gang activity, which has seen the government detain over 80,000 alleged gang members since the declaration of a state of emergency in March 2022 [4f30f110].
The transfer to Cecot raises concerns about human rights conditions in prisons, as organizations have reported instances of torture and lack of medical care for detainees. Critics argue that while the government's hardline approach may reduce crime in the short term, it fails to address the underlying issues of poverty and inequality that contribute to gang violence [4f30f110][1ac8e714].
As both El Salvador and Honduras grapple with issues of crime, migration, and international relations, the regional dynamics continue to evolve, with potential implications for US foreign policy in Central America [7cdc5570].