Xiomara Castro was sworn in as Honduras’ first feminine president on Thursday in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd together with US Vice President Kamala Harris, who pledged to assist the US authorities to cease migration and battle corruption.
Castro’s inauguration ended the eight-year rule of Juan Orlando Hernández, a one-time US ally who was accused in US courts of corruption and ties to drug traffickers. Even when Hernandez stepped down, a US Congresswoman requested him to question and request his extradition.
Castro, accompanied by her husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, took the oath at a packed soccer stadium, the place supporters applauded their pledge to repair the nation’s huge debt burden. “The economic devastation that I have inherited is unparalleled in the history of our country,” a depressed Castro stated in his inaugural deal with.
His authorities additionally faces an more and more divided Congress and relations with China as Honduras maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Harris, who was applauded when he was launched throughout the inauguration, congratulated Castro on his “democratic election”. “At a gathering quickly after the ceremony, Harris promised to cooperate on problems with migration, financial improvement and impunity, and stated he welcomed Castro’s plans to determine an anti-corruption fee on the United Nations. request assist.
Harris is tasked with addressing the “root causes” of migration to the international locations of Central America within the impoverished Northern Triangle, however his go to diminishes US President Joe Biden’s reputation at house and his immigration technique involves a halt. . We intend to do what we are able to to assist this new president,” stated an administration official.
Castro tweeted that he appreciated Harris’ go to and the Biden administration’s willingness to assist the Honduran authorities. Harris additionally promised to ship a number of million extra COVID-19 vaccine doses to Honduras, together with 500,000 syringes and $1.3 million for well being and academic amenities.
He instructed reporters that the 2 didn’t focus on China. US officers need to work with Castro to cease unlawful immigration from Central America and acquire worldwide assist for Taiwan as a part of efforts to curb Chinese affect. Honduras is without doubt one of the few international locations to keep up diplomatic relations with Taipei as a substitute of Beijing, and Castro hit again on feedback throughout his marketing campaign that he may change allegiance to China as president.
Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai attended the inauguration at https in a bid to strengthen ties with Castro’s authorities. Harris stated the 2 talked about their frequent curiosity in Central America. Luis Leon, director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy in Central America, stated Harris’s arrival was a lift for Castro in addressing the controversy over management of Congress and the weakening of Honduras. Economy
“Booty Trap”
Castro stated it was “practically impossible” to make present mortgage funds with out restructuring, as debt had grown seven-fold underneath his two conservative predecessors. The nation’s complete debt quantities to about $15.5 billion, or about 60% of GDP, an financial downside Castro typically highlighted earlier than his resounding victory in November.
“My government will not continue to wreak havoc on looting, which has denounced generations of youth for repaying the debt they have done behind their backs,” he stated. He vowed to instantly present free electrical energy to greater than 1 million poor Hondurans, with value subsidies to giant shoppers. Castro, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has vowed to deal with corruption, poverty and violence, persistent issues which have fueled migrants in America. ,
But his legislative program has been jeopardized by renegade politicians from his left-wing Libre Party, who broke a take care of a key electoral ally to vote for considered one of its members to steer Congress, the opposition National Party. aligned with. Castro additionally takes workplace at a time of controversy for his predecessor Hernandez, who served a most of two consecutive phrases as president and was a longtime US ally in anti-immigration and anti-drug campaigns.
US Congressman Norma Torres has referred to as for Hernandez’s indictment on drug expenses, and requested US officers to request his extradition. But Hernandez might be protected against extradition for 4 years, as he was sworn in as a member of the Central American Parliament shortly after Castro’s inauguration. He has repeatedly denied allegations of corruption and hyperlinks to drug traffickers. Hernandez’s brother was sentenced final 12 months by a US decide to life imprisonment and 30 years for drug trafficking.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
