By Brendan O'Boyle, Orfa Mejia
A top anti-corruption activist has demanded that Honduran President Xiomara Castro step down following the release of a video that suggests her brother-in-law was involved in negotiating campaign donations with drug traffickers more than a decade ago.
The emergence of the video comes shortly after President Castro terminated an extradition treaty with the United States, a move that drew attention to her conservative predecessor's conviction on cocaine trafficking charges in New York.
Gabriela Castellanos, head of the National Anti-Corruption Council, penned a letter to Castro urging her to resign due to the "serious drug trafficking accusations against (her) family circle," warning that her continued leadership could jeopardize the rule of law and security in Honduras.
The video footage, which shows former lawmaker Carlos Zelaya meeting with leaders of the Los Cachiros drug gang in 2013, was released by Insight Crime and Univision. In the video, the traffickers offer financial support for Castro's campaign, just days before she lost a previous bid for the presidency.
While Castro's office has not yet responded to the calls for her resignation, Zelaya admitted to meeting with the drug traffickers to discuss a campaign contribution but denied knowledge of their criminal activities at the time or receiving any money. He has since resigned from Congress.
Castro's decision to withdraw from the extradition treaty with the United States stemmed from her displeasure with criticism from the U.S. ambassador over a meeting between Honduran and Venezuelan defense officials. She accused the U.S. of attempting to intimidate or blackmail her administration, citing a supposed coup plot against her.
Having been elected on a platform of tackling drug trafficking and corruption, Castro has frequently condemned her predecessor, Juan Orlando Hernandez, labeling his regime as a "narco-dictatorship." Hernandez's own brother was arrested in the U.S. in 2018 and later convicted of drug trafficking.
The United States has historically wielded significant influence in Honduran politics, deploying troops in the country since the Cold War era and supporting Hernandez even amidst allegations of electoral fraud in 2017.
Analysis:
In summary, the recent revelations surrounding President Xiomara Castro and her family's alleged ties to drug trafficking have raised concerns about corruption and security in Honduras. Calls for Castro's resignation highlight the potential risks of allowing leaders with questionable associations to remain in power. The withdrawal from the extradition treaty with the U.S. underscores the strained relationship between the two countries and the complexities of international alliances in combating organized crime. Ultimately, these developments emphasize the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in safeguarding the interests of the Honduran people and maintaining stability in the region.