In Honduras, a significant political situation has developed as family members of the socialist President have stepped down amid an intensifying drug-trafficking investigation.
At a Glance
- Two family members of Honduras’s President Xiomara Castro resigned amid a probe into alleged drug trafficking ties.
- José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, Castro’s nephew, resigned as Defense Minister.
- Carlos Zelaya, Castro’s brother-in-law, resigned as lawmaker and secretary of the Honduran Parliament.
- President Castro recently terminated Honduras’s extradition treaty with the U.S. amid allegations of U.S. interference.
Family Resignations Amid Probe
Two family members of Honduran President Xiomara Castro have resigned amid a deepening probe into alleged drug trafficking ties. José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, President Castro’s nephew, stepped down from his position as Defense Minister. Carlos Zelaya, her brother-in-law, resigned as a lawmaker and secretary of the Honduran Parliament. These resignations highlight concerns over the link between politics and narcotics operations within the country.
Zelaya Rosales and Carlos Zelaya’s resignations are seen as significant due to their close ties to the President. The investigation into Carlos Zelaya centers on meetings he allegedly had with known drug traffickers in 2013. Zelaya admitted to meeting Juan Ramón Matta Waldurraga, son of a notorious drug trafficker, claiming it was about a campaign contribution that was never received.
Impact of Extradition Treaty Termination
President Castro’s recent decision to terminate Honduras’s extradition treaty with the U.S. has added another layer of controversy to the political situation. The treaty, which had been in place for over a century, was seen by the administration as a tool the U.S. might use against her loyal military personnel, possibly to stage a coup.
Castro explained the termination as a measure to prevent the U.S. from leveraging the treaty against her administration. However, analysts and the public have expressed concerns that it might be an attempt to shield her family and other government officials from legal repercussions.
Political and Public Reactions
These developments have sparked significant reactions both domestically and internationally. U.S. Ambassador Laura Dogu expressed concern over a meeting between Zelaya Rosales and Venezuela’s Defense Minister, who is accused of leading a cocaine trafficking operation and repressing protesters. The political instability is prompting questions about President Castro’s ability to lead and her commitment to fighting corruption. “We are very concerned about what has happened in Venezuela, it was quite surprising for me to see the Minister of Defense and the head of the [Honduran] Joint Chiefs of Staff sitting next to a drug trafficker in Venezuela.”
Public disillusionment is growing, especially considering President Castro was elected in 2021 on promises to combat corruption. The ongoing gang violence and several scandals have marred her presidency, leading many Hondurans to view her as another corrupt leader. Economic turmoil, violence, and unemployment are compounding the frustration among the populace.
“We thought that corruption would end with Xiomara Castro, because they were supposed to be different from previous governments, but they have turned out to be the same or worse,” said Gabriel Hernández, a 44-year-old marketing worker in Tegucigalpa.
In this volatile environment, the interconnectedness of politics and narcotics trafficking continues to be a significant barrier to progress and stability in Honduras. Whether or not President Castro’s administration can overcome these challenges remains to be seen.
The Secretary of the National Congress Carlos Zelaya, the brother of former President Manuel Zelaya, admits to meeting with Honduran drug traffickers in 2013. This information had already been disclosed in NY trials. Zelaya says he will resign from Congress.
His admission comes… https://t.co/cQqYdoaoVs
— Honduras Now (@HondurasNow) August 31, 2024
