International support without citizen backing: Xiomara Castro’s dilemma

The Ninth Meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which took place in Tegucigalpa from April 8 to 9, 2025, was marked by significant political and ideological backing for the administration of Xiomara Castro and Manuel Zelaya. This comes at a time when they are confronted with increasing public disapproval, allegations of authoritarian practices, and an ongoing domestic economic crisis.

The appearance of leftist or forward-thinking figures like Gustavo Petro (Colombia), Miguel Díaz-Canel (Cuba), Luis Arce (Bolivia), Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico), and other leaders with similar views conveyed a sense of regional ideological cohesion during a period of strain for the Honduran administration.

Even though the gathering was formally introduced as a venue for regional collaboration on topics like migration, food security, climate change, and energy partnerships, experts have viewed the participation of Latin American leftist leaders as backing for the re-establishment initiative driven by Castro and Zelaya in Honduras.

Global assistance as opposed to domestic fragility

While attending the summit, the leaders who were invited refrained from mentioning the unrest in some social groups in Honduras. Recent polls indicate a drop in approval for the government and highlight feelings of insecurity, joblessness, and economic unpredictability.

Although there is backing from the international community, the administration of the LIBRE party is dealing with a complicated internal scenario. The presidential hopeful, Rixi Moncada, is facing widespread opposition because of her involvement in earlier political activities and her association with the more extreme faction of the party. Allegations of deceit during the March primaries and worries about possible vote tampering in the general elections of November are present. Additionally, there is dissatisfaction regarding the ideological path of the administration, which is seen by a significant number as being disconnected from the people’s priorities.

Is there a regional approach for gaining legitimacy in response to the national crisis?

The administration employs the summit to portray a sense of regional credibility, even with its unstable internal credibility. The CELAC Summit has acted as a platform for Castro and Zelaya to attempt to showcase Latin American power and leadership. However, it has also highlighted that global endorsement cannot replace public support, which will be assessed in the elections on November 30th.

The issue is whether the LIBRE administration can establish itself with international backing while its domestic support wanes, and if this summit serves as a diplomatic platform or a fleeting illusion in a governance crisis. The ultimate choice will belong to the citizens of Honduras.