Honduras’ President, Xiomara Castro, has threatened to push the U.S. military out of a base in the country if President-elect Donald Trump proceeds with mass deportations of immigrants living illegally in the U.S.
This bold stance is the first clear pushback from a Latin American leader against Trump’s deportation plans.
Castro’s comments, made during a televised address on Wednesday, signal a shift in regional diplomacy as the issue of mass deportations heats up.
“We would have to consider a change in our policies of cooperation with the United States, especially in the military arena,” Castro stated.
She emphasized that the U.S. has maintained military bases in Honduras “without paying a cent for decades,” adding that these bases would no longer be justified if deportations proceed.
Honduras’ Foreign Minister, Enrique Reina, further clarified that the president could suspend the agreement allowing the U.S. to operate Soto Cano air base, a strategic military installation.
This move, however, could pose serious risks for Honduras, which heavily depends on the U.S. for trade and humanitarian aid.
Will Freeman, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, expressed surprise at Castro’s boldness.
A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, Brian Hughes, responded to Castro’s warning, focusing on securing the U.S. southern border and the return of illegal immigrants.
While Trump has promised swift deportations, his transition team has not released specific plans, leaving Latin American governments uncertain about the future.
Castro’s comments come as Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum echoed similar concerns, calling for a meeting of foreign ministers later this month to discuss deportation strategies.
Sheinbaum also emphasized the vital contributions of Mexican immigrants to the U.S. economy, suggesting that without them, “there would be no food on American tables.”
Meanwhile, Honduras and other governments are preparing for possible deportations by establishing mobile consulates and other support systems.
The potential impact of deportations is particularly stark for Honduras, where remittances from U.S. immigrants account for up to 25% of the economy.
It’s estimated that over 500,000 Hondurans were living illegally in the U.S. as of 2022.
The Soto Cano air base, established by the U.S. in the 1980s, houses over 1,000 military and civilian personnel.
While initially built to contain communist threats, the base has more recently focused on counternarcotics efforts and disaster relief.
A spokesperson for the base, Capt. Hillary Gibson, confirmed that the U.S. military operates there as guests of the Honduran government.
The Trump transition team has yet to comment on the developments, but the situation could sour the relationship between the U.S. and Honduras, which relies on American support.
Despite Castro’s confrontational stance, some Honduran officials have urged
