Honduras » International Relations

The Honduras's Relations with International Community

The rehabilitation of diplomatic relations with Cuba which was broken in April 1961 was again declared during official celebrations of the Inauguration of former-President Maduro on 26/27 January 2002. The move was not totally unexpected given the strong Cuban assistance to Honduras over the three and a half years since Hurricane Mitch (thousands of people killed in Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala) the ongoing support of the Cuban medical team working in remote areas of Honduras and the conclusion of the Honduran/Cuban marine boundary agreement. As a new member to the Commission, Honduras tabled the annual Resolution on human rights in Cuba that was passed at the UN Commission on Human Rights in April 2004.

In November 1999, a marine disagreement with Nicaragua suddenly burst out. The basis for the dispute was the approval by Honduras of the 1986 Ramirez-Lopez Treaty whereby Colombia’s right to the San Andreas and Providencia islands in the Caribbean was recognised. In December 2001, Foreign Ministers from both (Honduras and Nicaragua) countries signed an agreement at the headquarters of the OAS establishing the framework for a Bi-national Border Development Plan. As part of the increasing process of economic integration in the Central American region, Honduras signed an agreement with Nicaragua on 15 February 2005 to simplify customs courses on the border between the two countries.

Honduras enjoys good quality relations with both Guatemala and Belize, all three being members of the Central American Integration System (SICA). Honduras and Belize are presently pursuing joint-initiatives in disaster and emergency management as well as on environmental issues. In early 2006, Honduras participated in the OAS-facilitated meetings aimed at promoting a long-term settlement to the Belize/Guatemala border dispute. Honduras hosted a meeting between the two sides on 23 March 2006. Honduras has a particular interest in maritime aspects of the territorial dispute.

Moves towards regional economic integration in Central America are continuing. During the early part of 2004, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic concluded negotiations with the USA on the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

Trade and Investment with UK

The British Embassy in Honduras closed in December 2003. UK exports to Honduras were worth £10.8 million in 2004. The UK's principal exports to Honduras are specialised industrial machinery. Honduran exports to the UK in 2004 were worth £25.8 million. Customarily the UK has a trade deficit with Honduras because of Honduran fruit and vegetable exports. Other Honduran exports to the UK include wood, ores, metal scrap, tobacco, clothing, cork and minerals.