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Honduran President Xiomara Castro issued a stark warning to the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, threatening to reconsider Honduras’ longstanding military cooperation with the United States. The statement comes in response to Trump’s proposed mass deportation plans targeting undocumented immigrants, including hundreds of thousands of Hondurans living in the U.S.
In her New Year’s address, President Castro made her position clear, stating, “Faced with a hostile attitude of mass expulsion of our brothers, we would have to consider a change in our policies of cooperation with the United States, especially in the military arena.”
At the heart of Castro’s remarks is Soto Cano Air Base, a key U.S. military facility in Central America. Established in the 1980s, the base houses Joint Task Force Bravo and serves as a hub for humanitarian aid and counternarcotics operations. While the base plays a strategic role for the U.S., it exists on Honduran soil under agreements that Castro hinted could be revoked if mass deportations proceed.
Castro underscored the economic imbalance of the arrangement, noting that the U.S. military presence has operated “without paying a cent for decades.”
Castro’s comments represent one of the most direct challenges from a Latin American leader to Trump’s immigration policies. The announcement follows a similar call by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for a meeting of regional foreign ministers to address the potential impacts of mass deportations.
Mexico and Honduras, among other nations, have emphasized the economic and cultural contributions their citizens make in the U.S., urging the incoming administration to reconsider its approach. Deportations could disrupt remittances, a critical economic lifeline for nations like Honduras, where these funds account for 25% of the GDP.
While Castro’s stance has drawn praise from some Hondurans, it also carries significant risks. The United States remains Honduras’ largest trading partner and a major source of humanitarian aid. Cutting military ties could strain bilateral relations at a time when Honduras faces growing security challenges, including gang violence and drug trafficking.
The Trump transition team issued a measured response, expressing hope for dialogue. “The Trump administration looks forward to engaging our Latin American partners to ensure our southern border is secure and illegal immigrants can be returned to their country of origin,” said spokesperson Brian Hughes.
Honduras, along with other nations in the region, is preparing for the potential fallout of Trump’s policies. Measures include establishing mobile consulates to assist deportees and exploring regional strategies to mitigate the impact. Castro’s administration has also signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue, emphasizing the need for a “constructive and friendly” approach to address shared concerns.
