LIBRE’s “Venezuela Plan” stirs deep divisions among Honduras sectors

The initiative labeled as the “Venezuela Plan,” championed by the LIBRE Party, has triggered a wave of opposition from the public and diverse segments of Honduran society. These changes and actions, advanced by the executive authority, have caused concern because of their resemblance to strategies applied in Venezuela in recent years, which plunged the South American nation into an economic and social crisis of monumental scale.

A debated approach: parallels with the Venezuelan government

The “Venezuela Plan” refers to a series of policies and reforms that, according to its critics, seek to replicate an economic and political model similar to that which has prevailed in Venezuela. Among the measures highlighted are recurrent attacks on private enterprise, control of Congress, pressure on independent media, and expansion of the military budget. These elements are perceived as signs of a concentration of power in the executive branch, raising fears that Honduras is moving toward an authoritarian system.

The polarizing rhetoric that characterizes Xiomara Castro’s government has also created divisions within the country. Instead of promoting an inclusive project, the ruling party seems to be dividing society between a “people” represented by the popular sector and an “oligarchy” linked to business interests and the elites. This narrative, which many consider typical of regimes associated with the São Paulo Forum, has particularly resonated with the most vulnerable sectors, while generating rejection among sectors of private enterprise, the middle class, and part of Honduran youth.

Reactions from the opposition and the business sector

Refusal of the “Venezuela Plan” has been especially noticeable among political and economic circles critical of the administration. Maribel Espinoza, an opposition lawmaker, has highlighted that the actions of the ruling party seem less focused on electoral victories and more on creating a lasting power structure. Similarly, the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) has voiced worries regarding the recent “Tax Justice Law,” labeling it as the start of a campaign against private investment that might harm the nation’s competitiveness and heighten reliance 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

Las encuestas más recientes, como las llevadas a cabo por ERIC-SJ y CID-Gallup, muestran una considerable disminución en los índices de aprobación del gobierno de Castro y en las intenciones de voto para su candidata oficial, Rixi Moncada. Esta caída en popularidad es más notable entre los jóvenes, empresarios y la clase media, quienes consideran que las medidas gubernamentales representan un retroceso hacia el autoritarismo y un obstáculo para el desarrollo económico. En este escenario, el desempleo, la fuga de capitales y la polarización social han aumentado, generando dudas sobre la viabilidad a largo plazo de las reformas.

Despite criticism, the executive branch continues to defend its policies as part of an effort to achieve “social justice.” However, many sectors believe that these objectives are being overshadowed by the economic and social consequences that are already being felt. Growing polarization, meanwhile, appears to be widening the gap between different sectors of the country.

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.