World
Honduras' first female president sworn in
Castro, flanked by her husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, was sworn in at a packed soccer stadium where supporters applauded her vows to fix the country's massive debt burden.
Tegucigalpa: Xiomara Castro has sworn in as Honduras' first woman president in front of a cheering crowd including US Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to details, Xiomara’s inauguration ended the eight-year rule of Juan Orlando Hernandez, a one-time US ally who has been accused in courts of corruption and links to drug traffickers.
Castro, flanked by her husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, was sworn in at a packed soccer stadium where supporters applauded her vows to fix the country's massive debt burden.
"The economic catastrophe that I'm inheriting is unparalleled in the history of our country," a somber Castro said in her inaugural address.
Shortly after the ceremony, in a meeting, Harris promised to collaborate on migration issues, economic development and fighting impunity.
Following the meeting, US Vice President Kamala Harris said that she welcomed Castro's plans to request United Nations (UN) help to establish an anti-corruption commission.
On her official twitter handle, Castro tweeted that she appreciated Harris' visit and the Biden administration's willingness to support the Honduran government.
Moreover, Harris also pledged to send several hundred thousand more COVID-19 vaccine doses along with 500,000 syringes and $1.3 million for health and educational facilities to Honduras.
Furthermore, Honduras is one of the few countries maintaining diplomatic ties with Taipei instead of Beijing, and Castro during her campaign backtracked on comments that she might switch allegiance to China as president.