Political Turmoil in Honduras: President Under Pressure from Scandal and Protests

Honduran President Xiomara Castro is facing resignation calls as a scandalous video causes public outrage and political unrest.

At a Glance

Anti-Corruption leader Gabriela Castellanos demanded Castro’s resignation due to corruption allegations involving Castro’s brother-in-law.
The 2013 video shows drug traffickers offering over $525,000 to Carlos Zelaya, Castro’s brother-in-law.
Carlos Zelaya and his son resigned from their positions following the revelations.
President Castro annulled a longstanding extradition treaty with the U.S.

Scandal Unveiled

Gabriela Castellanos, director of the National Anti-Corruption Council, has called for President Xiomara Castro’s resignation. This demand comes after a video surfaced showing Castro’s brother-in-law, Carlos Zelaya, allegedly accepting drug money. The video, recorded in 2013, shows drug traffickers offering over $525,000 to Castellanos.

The video has sparked significant public outrage. In the video, Carlos Zelaya indicates that “half of it will go to the commander,” a reference to his brother, former president Manuel Zelaya. Reacting to the uproar, Carlos admits to meeting with “Los Cachiros” leader but denies knowledge of their drug trafficking activities.

Resignation and Political Fallout

In light of these damning revelations, Carlos Zelaya and his son, the former minister of defense, have resigned from their respective government positions. This move was possibly to mitigate the scandal’s effect on President Castro’s administration.

“This request is based on the serious accusations of drug trafficking that have been presented against your family, whom you have appointed to work in the State,” said Gabriela Castellanos in a public letter to Castro.

Controversial Decisions and Public Backlash

President Castro recently annulled a longstanding extradition treaty with the U.S., which previously allowed the extradition of Hondurans accused of drug trafficking. This move followed criticism from the U.S. and further fueled public discontent. Many Hondurans were initially relieved when Castro was elected on an anti-corruption platform, promising to fight drug trafficking. However, the video scandal has greatly disappointed her supporters.

Ongoing Unrest and Future Uncertainty

Public frustration and protests continue to mount against Castro’s administration. While many had hoped for change, the ongoing scandal is causing many to lose faith in her leadership. Social unrest in Honduras was already high, and the recent corruption revelations have only exacerbated the situation. Schools and hospitals are disrupted, and incidents like the burning of the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa suggest that the protests are becoming more intense.

This situation mirrors the turbulent tenure of the previous president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who faced violent anti-government demonstrations. Hondurans continue to express their discontent loudly, many pointing fingers at U.S. policies that have supported controversial Honduran administrations in the past. With President Castro’s popularity in decline, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate this crisis.