Concerning Developments in Honduras

Floor Speech

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Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call this chamber's attention to concerning developments in Honduras that pose a growing economic risk for Central America's Northern Triangle region.

Earlier this year, Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced her government's intent to pursue substantial investments from China after establishing diplomatic ties with the PRC in March. The Castro administration is also seeking to effectively nationalize U.S. public and private investment in Honduran special economic zones, where U.S.- led businesses are operating and focused on the creation of nearshoring facilities and bolstering the Honduran tourism industry. The elimination of these zones would constitute a violation of 50-year legal stability agreements guaranteed under the Dominican Republic- Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement. This is counterproductive to both bilateral economic development and stability for Hondurans. We all know that better jobs and economic opportunities in country benefit Honduran families while reducing the pressures that lead to irregular migration.

In July, I cosigned a letter urging the State Department and U.S. Trade Representative to protect U.S. interests in Honduras. Earlier this week, the State Department announced visa restrictions on Honduran individuals involved in what the Department described as an anti- democratic scheme to name an Attorney General and Deputy AG without the required votes through violence and intimidation. I commend the State Department's efforts and continue to stand with those seeking to strengthen democracy and rule of law in Honduras.

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