Honduras President Xiomara Castro is facing pressure to resign following reports her family previously cooperated with Honduran drug traffickers to secure campaign funds.
The reports come one week after President Castro unilaterally terminated Honduras’ extradition treaty with the US.
According to Castro, the extradition treaty’s termination was based on maintaining Honduran sovereignty and preventing US intervention in Honduran politics.
Castro terminated the extradition treaty after US Ambassador to Honduras Laura Dogu criticized Castro’s administration for collaborating with individuals wanted for drug trafficking in the US.
Now, Castro’s own family is being accused of cooperating with drug traffickers, which has raised concerns about the timing of the extradition treaty’s elimination.
US Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) condemned Castro’s actions, defining them as “socialist corruption.”
“Kamala’s favorite LatAm leader, Honduras President Castro, wants to rip up a 100-year-old Extradition Treaty to protect her own brother-in-law’s suspected dirty connection to Honduras’ most notorious drug gang,” continued Representative Salazar.
Socialist corruption at its finest!
Kamala’s favorite LatAm leader, Honduras President Castro, wants to rip up a 100 year old Extradition Treaty to protect her own brother-in-law’s suspected dirty connection to Honduras’ most notorious drug gang!
Not a great friend to have! pic.twitter.com/bfn4UYxd8z
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) September 4, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has prioritized developing a friendly relationship with Castro and claimed combating corruption is a central feature of such a relationship.
Castro and Vice President Harris first met during the former’s first official visit to another country.
“Harris welcomed President Castro’s focus on countering corruption and impunity, including her intent to request the assistance of the United Nations in establishing an international anti-corruption commission and commitment to advancing necessary legislative reforms to enable such a commission to succeed,” reads a statement from their first meeting.
However, as corruption controversy engulfs Castro, Harris is yet to comment on the situation.
