Honduras warns of coup attempt after ending US extradition treaty

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Sep 2024 22:49

President Castro is warning of a coup attempt that is being prepared against her government after it terminated an extradition deal with the US.

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Honduras' President Xiomara Castro waves during the swearing-in ceremony for Colombia's President Gustavo Petro in Bogota, Colombia, on August 7, 2022. (AP)

A plan to "destroy" the Honduran government is underway, the country's President Xiomara Castro said on Tuesday.

"The plan to destroy my socialist and democratic government is in motion," Castro stated.

She said that peace and internal security of the Republic are at risk, adding that a coup d'etat against her government is being plotted and that Hondurans must repel it.

Castro said her government condemns all forms of negotiation between drug traffickers and politicians.

The president said that she would not allow for the extradition treaty with the United States "to be selectively used to disband the armed forces" and to overthrow the government.

"The dark forces of 2009 with national and international media are reorganizing themselves," Castro explained.

Meanwhile, Security Minister Gustavo Sanchez said the government reported objectively on all drug trafficking cases that are open for investigation in the United States.

This includes 26 cases of the opposition National Party, including former president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison "for turning Honduras into a narcostate."

Castro nullifies extradition agreement after US meddled in relations

President Castro's warnings come after the government terminated its extradition treaty with the United States.

The long-lasting treaty was nullified after US ambassador to Honduras, Laura Dogu, accused Honduran officials of meeting with a "drug trafficker".

The term referred to Venezuela's defense minister, General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who is under US sanctions.

Honduran Defense Minister Jose Manuel Zelaya and the nation's military chief met with Lopez earlier, as the two countries' ties grow closer, of course to the displeasure of the US.

Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said the US ambassador's statements were a "direct threat to our independence and sovereignty."

It is worth noting that the US, via its officials and media outlets, is leading a fierce campaign to delegitimize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's victory and has now launched another campaign against Castro's left-wing government.