The world around us
By Venkatesh Raghavan
There’s a big question mark hanging over Honduras’ future course of action, which will largely depend on its President-elect Xiomara Castro’s commitment to switch sides in favour of Communist China, abandoning support and recognition to Taiwan. The corruption-ridden and poverty stricken Central American state has witnessed the left-leaning Castro, vociferous on lending support to China, being all set to get ushered in as its first female president.
The worrying part about Castro’s touted support for China is more of a financial concern. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) that has predicted a 4.9% growth in the current year for the Honduras economy, against a backdrop of 9% slump in the previous financial year, spelt out that as of now the US happens to be its major trading partner.
Also read: Honduras polls and the question of Taiwan
The economy that largely rests on exports of coffee, textiles and bananas is also plagued with a high degree of anxiety within the Castro camp over the “brain drain” phenomenon the country has been suffering from in recent years. “Our state spends on educating the youth and most of them have left our shores in favour of pursuing their careers in the neighbouring United States. It’s a matter of serious concern as it creates an acute shortage in the skilled workforce our country can command,” voiced a senior politician from the Castro camp.
While the president elect is slated to assume office in January 2022, the immediate concern and challenge that will face the Castro-led left Party will be that of addressing the apprehensions of business houses who will not take it kindly in the event of Honduras switching support to China, de-recognising Taiwan as an independent state in the process. As of now, Honduras happens to be one of the 15 countries around the globe that support and recognise an independent Taiwan. Any move to upset the apple cart will lead to Honduras severing full official diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Interestingly, Antony J. Blinken, US Secretary of State sent a congratulatory message to Castro and expressed the sentiment that Washington looked forward to an era of cooperation with the new government. Official reactions from Taiwan too expressed hope of furthering and strengthening ties with the Central American country’s new government. Earlier, ahead of Sunday’s polls, the Chinese authorities had cried foul stating that the United States was attempting to bully Honduras into submission.
International alignments apart, Castro who is heading the Libre Party will have her plate full combating high degree of joblessness, rampant crime, systemic corruption that is deep-rooted in the state, besides an air of fear perpetrated by organised drug cartels that are operating from across the country’s border. This has in fact surfaced as a sociological problem that has caused a high number of people to migrate to the United States in search of greener pastures.
Meanwhile, the ruling National Party’s contender for the presidential post, Nasry Asfura officially conceded defeat signaling the end of its 12-year reign in power. Local news channels showed the two rivals hugging and Asfura communicating a congratulatory message to Castro.
