Xiomara Castropresident of Honduras, denounced This Tuesday the existence of a plan aimed at “destroying” his Government and “hitting a new one coup d’état” in the country, and He condemned “all types of negotiations between drug traffickers and politicians” following the release of a video showing a 2013 meeting between his brother-in-law, Carlos Zelaya, and drug traffickers.
“The plan to destroy my socialist, democratic government and the upcoming electoral process is underway, the same internal and external dark forces of 2009with the complicity of the national and international corporate media, are reorganizing in our country to carry out a new coup d’état“that the people must repel,” Castro denounced in an official ceremony broadcast on radio and television.
He added that the Crime Solution Plan, approved in March 2023, demonstrates his “political commitment in favor of extradition,” but assured that “I will not allow it to be instrumentalized selectively the treaty valid with EU for dismantle the Armed Forces, overthrow my government and destroy the elections” that the country will celebrate in 2025.
Xiomara Castro He confirmed that “the peace and internal security of the Republic are at risk” and remembered “the threats” of the United States Ambassador in Tegucigalpa, Laura Dogu, by accusing the Chief of Staff of being a “drug trafficker” Joint Armed Forces, Roosevelt Hernandezand the former Minister of Defense Jose Manuel Zelaya.
He Honduran government decided on Wednesday “terminate” the bilateral extradition treaty with the United States amid diplomatic tension with the US ambassador in Tegucigalpa for criticizing a recent meeting of Honduran authorities with the sanctioned Venezuelan Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino López.
On the same radio and television channel, the Honduran government revealed a list of politicians opponents who are investigated in the US for drug trafficking.
Tools and technology to combat drug trafficking
The Xiomara Castro ordered this Tuesday to the Honduran Prosecutor’s Office “take drastic action” In the cases disclosed on politicians of opposition that would be involved in drug trafficking“without any selectivity in the fight against drug activity.”
He asked the Honduran parliament, where the Libre party does not have a majority, to reform the laws necessary so that the state security force, “currently limited, can combat this organized crime with force.”
Castro ordered his Minister of Defense to provide the Armed Forces with the necessary tools and technology to “Prevent Honduras from continuing to be used as a bridge for drug trafficking which they consume in tons in the destination countries.”
About the video released today from a meeting in 2013 between his Brother-in-law Carlos Zelaya and drug traffickersthe mandate He said that “I condemn all kinds of negotiation between drug traffickers and politicians“.
According to a report by the US non-governmental organization InSight Crime (Organized Crime in the Americas), released this Tuesday by the local Honduran press, Carlos Zelaya, Castro’s brother-in-law and brother of former President Manuel Zelaya, He met with drug traffickers in 2013 and was offered to donate more than 500 thousand dollars for the campaign of the ruling party Liberty and Refoundation (Libre).
Xiomara Castro’s brother-in-law admitted that he met with drug traffickers
Carlos Zelaya admitted on Saturday that he met with drug traffickers in 2013 he was offered money for the Free Party campaign, although He denied having received money, and announced his resignation as secretary of the Honduran Parliament.
InSight Crime highlights that the video “is further shocking evidence of the depth of drug traffickers’ infiltration of Honduras’ political class,” and confirms “long-held suspicions that Honduras’ current ruling party, like politicians such as (Juan Orlando) Hernández, was not immune to the influence of drug money just as campaigns for the 2025 elections are intensifying.”
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The video was handed over by Devis Leonel and Javier Rivera Maradiaga, former leaders of the Los Cachiros cartel, after reaching an agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in December 2013.