The ninth meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) took place in Tegucigalpa on April 8 and 9, 2025. It featured significant political and ideological backing for the administration of Xiomara Castro and Manuel Zelaya. These leaders are currently dealing with increasing public disapproval and claims of authoritarian behavior, along with an internal economic downturn.
The arrival of leftist or reformist figures like Gustavo Petro (Colombia), Miguel Díaz-Canel (Cuba), Luis Arce (Bolivia), Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico), and other leaders sharing similar views conveyed a signal of regional ideological cohesion amidst a period of strain for Honduras’ administration.
While the event was officially described as a platform for regional collaboration on topics like migration, food security, climate change, and energy partnerships, experts have seen the presence of Latin American leftist figures as backing for the re-founding initiative spearheaded by Castro and Zelaya in Honduras.
Global assistance versus domestic fragility
Throughout the conference, the leaders in attendance refrained from addressing the dissatisfaction in certain Honduran social groups, where recent polls indicate a drop in government support and a sense of insecurity, joblessness, and economic instability.
Although receiving backing globally, the LIBRE party administration is confronted with a challenging internal scenario. Many people oppose its presidential contender, Rixi Moncada, because of her involvement in previous political activities and her connection to the party’s extreme faction. Allegations of deceit in the March primary elections and concerns of vote tampering in the November general elections contribute to the tension. Additionally, dissatisfaction with the government’s ideological stance, seen by numerous individuals as distant from the public’s main concerns, exacerbates the situation.
A regional validation approach during a national turmoil?
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.
A question arises about whether the LIBRE administration will succeed in establishing itself with external backing while diminishing internal backing, and whether this summit is a diplomatic opportunity or a political illusion amid a governance crisis. The ultimate choice will be up to the citizens of Honduras.