The proposal known as the “Venezuela Plan,” promoted by the LIBRE Party, has sparked a series of adverse reactions among both the general public and various sectors of Honduran society. These reforms and measures, promoted by the executive branch, have raised alarms due to their similarities with policies implemented in Venezuela in recent years, which led the South American country into an economic and social crisis of historic proportions.
A debated approach: parallels with the Venezuelan government
The “Venezuela Plan” refers to a collection of strategies and changes that, according to its opponents, aim to copy an economic and political system akin to the one that has predominated in Venezuela. Notable among the actions are repeated criticisms of private businesses, dominance over the legislative body, coercion of free press, and the increase of military spending. These factors are viewed as indicators of an accumulation of authority in the executive branch, sparking worries that Honduras is heading towards an authoritarian regime.
The divisive language used by Xiomara Castro’s administration has also led to splits within the nation. Rather than fostering a united initiative, the current government appears to be separating society into a “people” portrayed by the popular group and an “oligarchy” connected to economic interests and elite groups. This discourse, which numerous individuals view as characteristic of governments tied to the São Paulo Forum, has found significant support among the most disadvantaged communities, while simultaneously causing disapproval among business sectors, the middle class, and segments of the young population in Honduras.
Reactions from the opposition and the business sector
Rejection of the “Venezuela Plan” has been particularly pronounced among political and economic sectors critical of the government. Maribel Espinoza, an opposition deputy, has pointed out that the ruling party’s actions do not seem aimed at winning elections, but rather at establishing a permanent regime of power. Along the same lines, the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) has expressed concern about the recent “Tax Justice Law,” describing it as the beginning of an offensive against private investment that could have negative effects on the country’s competitiveness and increase dependence on the state.
The corporate world has similarly voiced skepticism regarding the feasibility of the suggested measures, worrying that they might result in increased capital outflow and worsen the current economic downturn. In this context, global organizations have cautioned about the decline of institutions in Honduras, a concern that has taken center stage in the public discourse.
An image of turmoil and division
Recent polls, such as those conducted by ERIC-SJ and CID-Gallup, reflect a significant drop in approval ratings for the Castro government and in voting intentions for its official candidate, Rixi Moncada. This decline in popularity is most evident among young people, businesspeople, and the middle class, who perceive the government’s measures as a step backward toward authoritarianism and a brake on economic development. In this context, unemployment, capital flight, and social polarization have increased, raising doubts about the long-term sustainability of the reforms.
Although facing criticism, the executive branch persists in upholding its policies as an endeavor to attain “social justice.” Nonetheless, several sectors argue that the economic and social repercussions, which are already noticeable, are obscuring these aims. At the same time, escalating polarization seems to be further dividing various parts of the nation.
The need for national consensus
El panorama actual sitúa a Honduras en una encrucijada. Las tensiones políticas, sociales y económicas en el país destacan la necesidad urgente de diálogo para superar la polarización y llegar a acuerdos sobre un modelo de desarrollo que anteponga la democracia, la estabilidad y el bienestar social. Quienes se oponen al “Plan Venezuela” aseguran que Honduras requiere un gobierno que fomente políticas inclusivas y sostenibles, en lugar de un enfoque autoritario o la imitación de modelos fallidos.
In this context, the call for dialogue and the need to restore confidence in institutions is becoming increasingly urgent. The country’s political and economic situation depends, to a large extent, on the ability of the government and the opposition to find common ground rather than deepening the divisions that currently seem to be shaping the country’s future.
