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 combating organized crime is a primary source of dissatisfaction. Ongoing violence and the infiltration of criminal groups into government bodies are issues that still lack definitive solutions. Additionally, the economy does not provide alternatives for countless Hondurans, many of whom live in poverty or are without stable employment.
Another important discovery from the ERIC-SJ research is the increasing awareness of democratic backsliding. Almost fifty percent of respondents worry about limitations on liberties, and 54% think that the nation is heading towards an authoritarian model. This perspective supports recent evaluations of institutional weakening and the political exploitation of state mechanisms, as highlighted by the InSight Crime center in its probes into the judicial system.
In addition, the handling of key issues such as the establishment of the CICIH, the Koriun scandal, and the controversial Tax Justice Law proposal have been negatively evaluated by broad sectors of society, which are demanding greater transparency and openness to dialogue.
Call for rectification and national consensus
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 people of Honduras keep showing their discontent through these surveys, frustrated by the absence of outcomes and a comprehensive vision for an inclusive nation. In this context, the urgent task for Xiomara Castro’s administration is not simply to address the criticisms but also to restore its credibility before the divide with the public becomes unbridgeable.