Heine Publishes Op-Ed on Honduran Presidential Election
Ambassador Jorge Heine, Research Professor at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, published a Global Times op-ed on the election of Xiomara Castro as Honduras’ president and the turning point it represents for the country.
In the article, titled “Honduras’ chance for a fresh start,” Heine explores the daunting task ahead for President-elect Castro as she attempts to get Honduras – “the first narco-state of the Americas” – on the right path after the corrupt leadership of President Juan Orlando Hernández. He argues that, in order to make good on her campaign promises and provide for her country’s people, Castro should adopt a policy of Active Non-Alignment and put Honduras’ interests above all else.
An excerpt:
Stamping out corruption and drug trafficking should, of course, be a first priority. But [Castro] will also have to give a fresh impetus to the nation’s development, which has lagged far behind that of its neighbors on the Central American isthmus. As a candidate, Mrs. Castro promised that she would establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China…Few would question the fact that China would offer great opportunities to Honduras in trade, investment and project financing. Honduras’ infrastructure is especially deficient, an area in which the BRI and the AIIB could make a huge difference.
The full article can be read on Global Times‘ website.
Ambassador Jorge Heine is a Research Professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. He has served as ambassador of Chile to China (2014-2017), to India (2003-2007), and to South Africa (1994-1999), and as a Cabinet Minister in the Chilean Government. Read more about Ambassador Heine on his Pardee School faculty profile.