Honduras Threatens to Close US Military Bases

Honduran President Xiomara Castro has issued a stark warning that her government may close US military bases in the country if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his promise of mass deportations of Honduran migrants upon taking office on January 20.

In a televised address, President Castro criticized the longstanding US military presence in Honduras, stating that the bases have operated for decades without financial contributions.

She emphasized that mass deportations would necessitate a reassessment of Honduras's military cooperation with the United States.

Castro declared that such actions could render the American military bases in Honduras obsolete, urging the incoming Trump administration to adopt a constructive and diplomatic approach to immigration policy.

President Castro expressed hope that the new US leadership would engage in dialogue rather than retaliatory actions against migrants, highlighting the significant contributions Honduran immigrants make to the American economy.

Honduras is bracing for the potential return of approximately 250,000 Hondurans who could face deportation by 2025, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Tony Garcia.

The country, already grappling with economic challenges, may struggle to reintegrate such a large number of people.

Currently, an estimated two million Hondurans live in the United States, many without legal documentation. Remittances from these individuals account for over 25% of Honduras’s GDP, underscoring their critical role in the nation’s economy.