Honduran President Xiomara Castro has issued a direct warning about removing US military forces from Honduras if former President Donald Trump implements his proposed mass deportation plans targeting Honduran nationals with criminal backgrounds.
The announcement, delivered during a televised address on Wednesday, has ignited widespread discussion about US-Central American diplomatic relations.
“In response to aggressive mass deportation policies targeting our citizens, we must evaluate our collaborative arrangements with the United States, specifically regarding military presence,” Castro declared. She emphasized that Honduras receives no monetary benefits from hosting US military installations.
The Soto Cano air base, which serves as the primary US military operations center in Central America, is notably situated in Honduras.
Xiomara Castro stands as the first regional leader to propose countermeasures against potential mass deportations of undocumented immigrants by a future conservative US administration.
According to Honduras’ Foreign Minister Enrique Reina, President Castro possesses the authority to demand US military withdrawal without seeking congressional approval. This executive power underscores the potential for immediate diplomatic consequences if the US proceeds with such deportations.
Donald Trump has outlined an aggressive deportation strategy, primarily focusing on undocumented immigrants with criminal records or existing deportation orders. Responding to Castro’s warnings, Trump’s transition team expressed their intention to maintain regional partnerships.
“The incoming Trump administration anticipates collaboration with our Latin American allies to enhance southern border security and support the repatriation of illegal immigrants to their native countries,” stated Brian Hughes, Trump’s transition team spokesperson, in remarks published by the New York Times and Washington Examiner.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum adopted a more diplomatic approach, expressing willingness to coordinate with the US on migrant returns. “We’ll request that the United States, whenever possible, return non-Mexican migrants to their countries of origin. Otherwise, we’ll assist through various channels,” she stated on Friday.
As these diplomatic tensions escalate, the future of US-Honduras relations and regional immigration policies remains unclear.
Castro’s warning could significantly impact military and diplomatic cooperation between both countries.
Meanwhile, Haiti’s leadership has remained silent regarding Donald Trump’s strict deportation agenda. Trump has previously made contentious statements about Haitian immigrants in the United States, particularly those residing in Springfield, Ohio, whom he has baselessly claimed are responsible for consuming local residents’ pets.
