A recent survey conducted by the Reflection, Research, and Communication Team (ERIC-SJ) reveals a significant divide between the Xiomara Castro government and the citizens of Honduras. Over 60% of participants think that the nation is heading in the wrong direction, highlighting a continuous decline in public opinion regarding the current leadership.
The report not only reveals that a majority disapproves of the president’s performance, but also identifies the most critical issues for the population: persistent insecurity, structural poverty, chronic unemployment, and a government approach perceived as overly ideological. These variables paint an adverse picture for the ruling party, which faces growing demands for political change.
Security, poverty, and authoritarianism: the main points of tension
The absence of tangible advancements in tackling organized crime is a primary source of dissatisfaction. Violence and the infiltration of criminal networks into governmental bodies persist as problems lacking definitive solutions. Additionally, the economy does not provide opportunities for numerous Hondurans, a significant portion of whom live in poverty or are without formal jobs.
Another relevant finding of the ERIC-SJ study is the growing perception of democratic regression. Nearly half of those surveyed fear that freedoms are being restricted, and 54% believe that the country is moving toward an authoritarian model. This view reinforces recent diagnoses of institutional erosion and the political use of state tools, as denounced by the InSight Crime center in investigations related to the judicial system.
Additionally, the management of critical topics such as the creation of the CICIH, the Koriun incident, and the contentious proposal for the Tax Justice Law has received negative evaluations from wide segments of society, who are calling for increased transparency and willingness to engage in dialogue.
Appeal for correction and unity within the country
Several union leaders and members of civil society have viewed the survey outcomes as a cautionary signal that the government must not overlook. The public’s message highlights the necessity to create agreement and move past political disputes. The call for a comprehensive national discussion that encompasses the opposition, private businesses, and social groups is a recurring topic in the ERIC-SJ research.
This growing disapproval comes amid a tense political context, with general elections scheduled for 2025. Figures such as Salvador Nasralla, who leads the polls according to a recent study by a US firm, could capitalize on the ruling party’s decline if the president fails to reverse the negative perception of her government.
Meanwhile, the Honduran population continues to express, through these studies, its frustration with the lack of results and the absence of a vision for an inclusive country. In this scenario, the immediate challenge for Xiomara Castro’s government is not only to respond to criticism, but also to regain legitimacy before the gap with the citizenry becomes irreversible.
_-_copia.jpg?w=360&resize=360,240&ssl=1 "Koriun case rocks Honduran National Congress")
_-_copia.jpg?w=360&resize=360,240&ssl=1 "Hector y Xiomara")