Honduras appears to be stuck in a legislative crisis as president-elect Xiomara Castro, the leftist candidate, prepares to take the oath of office as Honduras' first female leader.
It's a divided government before Castro even starts.
Florida International University Political Science Professor Eduardo Gamarra says the U.S. sees a colossal opportunity in the region with Castro's government.
"Not being engaged in some way with what is going on in Honduras politically would be a terrible mistake for the United States," Gamarra said.
The immigration crisis is at the top of the list.
"It's an issue that that's extraordinarily significant in domestic politics, and there are bands that have been coming up from Central America have been largely comprised of the Honduran migrants who are essentially fleeing conditions in that country," Gamarra continued.
Vice President Kamala Harris is going to the inauguration. Her goal is to gain a reliable partner in the northern triangle, that also includes Guatemala and El Salvador.
Recently, America's relationship has soured with those countries.
NEWSY'S AXEL TURCIOS: Why send a vice president with this envoy, professor?
EDUARDO GAMARRA: President Biden has named Vice President Kamala Harris as the person, the point person on addressing the immigration issue. ... It would be a very good message for the us to say, "Yes, we're committed regardless of the political colors that that Mrs. Castro brings to to this new administration in Honduras."
Gammara says the Biden administration is worried about the very significant role that drug trafficking plays in Honduran politics.
A clear example is the outgoing President Juan Orlando Hernández. He's expected to be indicted by U.S. prosecutors on drug trafficking conspiracy charges upon leaving office.
"The new government will face a very serious issue because corruption is firmly rooted in the political parties that have governed Honduras," Gamarra said.
He adds there are suspicions that Castro's husband, Manuel Zelaya, whose past presidency was overthrown by the military, will play some kind of role in his wife's ruling.
"I think there is reason to be concerned of the kinds of international linkages that she's developing or that she's developed, which are largely the legacy of her husband. The relationships with Venezuela. The relationships with with the so-called 21st-century socialists," Gamarra continued.
He says the U.S. is giving the new president the benefit of the doubt, but it's seemingly impossible to root out corruption knowing the history of the country's previous presidents.
