TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS --
Xiomara Castro is scheduled to be sworn in Thursday as Honduras' first feminine president, dealing with excessive expectations to show across the deeply troubled nation amid uncertainty about whether or not an unfolding legislative disaster will permit her the assist she wants.
Comparatively clean elections and a wholesome margin of victory Nov. 28 got here as a aid, however political maneuvering within the run-up to Castro's inauguration has muddled the outlook and distracted from what was to be a hopeful new starting after the 2 phrases of President Juan Orlando Hernandez.
Within the days when Castro was presupposed to be rolling out her Cupboard choices, Honduras has been engulfed by a dispute over who will lead the newly elected Congress. Two congressional management groups have been chosen -- neither legitimately in accordance with consultants -- and their standoff threatens legislative paralysis at a time that Castro desperately must rapidly get to work addressing Honduras' issues.
Elected lawmakers from Castro's personal Liberty and Refoundation Get together backed one in every of their very own to be the brand new legislative physique's president Friday slightly than assist Castro's selection, which had been agreed along with her vp to win his celebration's assist. Neither group backed down resulting in surreal simultaneous legislative classes Tuesday.
Luis Ruiz, a 52-year-old Castro supporter and fruit vendor close to the Congress, stated the political disagreement threatened to divide the nation. "She (Castro) has to resolve this case by way of dialogue," Ruiz stated. "She hasn't taken energy and she or he's already having issues, she should present her management."
Excessive unemployment, persistent violence, corruption in addition to troubled well being care and academic techniques are simply a few of the urgent challenges awaiting Castro.
The USA authorities, seeing a possibility to achieve an ally in a area with few pals, has strongly backed Castro and stands prepared to supply assist. In a doable signal of tensions within the area, presidents from neighbors El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua weren't scheduled to attend.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who was given the duty of discovering methods to deal with the basis causes of Central American migration, leads the U.S. delegation at Thursday's inauguration ceremony.
Washington sees areas for cooperation on Castro's priorities of battling corruption and growing financial alternatives in her nation, two areas that might have an effect on selections by Hondurans on whether or not to remain or attempt to migrate to america.
"Honduras has been a really tough accomplice for america, particularly throughout the administration of Juan Orlando Hernandez for various causes, together with the constant swirl of criminality round him and his household," stated Jason Marczak, senior director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Heart on the Atlantic Council.
"The anti-corruption agenda being entrance and middle and her (Castro's) pledges is music to the ears of the Biden-Harris administration, given its deal with rooting out corruption not solely in Central America however its international efforts on corruption," he stated.
Castro has stated she plans to formally invite the United Nations to arrange an anti-corruption mission in Honduras.
Harris was scheduled to fulfill privately with Castro shortly after her inauguration. Castro and Harris spoke by telephone Dec. 10.
In a name with reporters Wednesday, senior Biden administration officers stated Harris anticipated to develop on that dialog about methods to deepen the bilateral relationship. "The matters will embody increasing financial alternative, combating corruption, and humanely managing migration," a senior administration stated, talking on situation of anonymity.
Castro, 62, gained on her third bid for the presidency. She was beforehand first girl throughout the presidency of her husband, Manuel Zelaya, which was minimize quick by a navy coup in 2009.
Many citizens this time stated they had been motivated above all by the opportunity of eradicating Hernandez's Nationwide Get together from energy. Hernandez was first elected in 2013 and a pleasant Supreme Courtroom allowed him to beat a constitutional ban on re-election and run once more in 2017 in an election suffering from irregularities.
Federal prosecutors in New York have repeatedly spoken of Hernandez's purported ties to drug trafficking, alleging his political rise was funded partially by drug income. Hernandez has not been formally charged and has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Xiomara Castro arrives for a gathering with Spain's King Felipe VI in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Jan. 26, 2022. (AP Picture/Moises Castillo)
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