# Honduras in Latin America

> Honduras' role in Latin America: US ties, Taiwan choice, and economic weight.
- Title: Honduras in Latin America · The Rio Times | Shortify
- Summary: Honduras' role in Latin America: US ties, Taiwan choice, and economic weight. Honduras, with 11 million people, has US$39.6 billion GDP and a 31% remittance…
- Keywords: honduras, united states, taiwan, china, central america, remittances, gdp, trade, sica, celac, icsid, news
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/honduras-role-in-latin-america-explained-2026
- Author: Contributing Reporter
- Published: 2026-10-19T09:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: honduras, united states, taiwan, china, central america, remittances, gdp, trade, sica, celac, icsid, news
## Honduras in Latin America
Honduras has 11.0 million people, about 1.7 percent of Latin America and the Caribbean.
## Economic Weight
Its economy produced US$39.6 billion in 2025, about 0.5 percent of regional output.
## Who Governs
President Nasry Asfura of the National Party has been in office since January 27, 2026.
## Alliances
Honduras has US$12.5 billion in two-way trade with the United States and 600 US personnel at Soto Cano Air Base.
## Taiwan Choice
Honduras moved recognition from Taiwan to China in March 2023, but President Asfura has yet to decide on Taiwan.
## Remittances
Family remittances were about US$12.2 billion in 2025, roughly 31 percent of GDP.
## Blocs
Honduras belongs to the Organization of American States, CELAC, SICA, and CAFTA-DR but not Mercosur or CARICOM.
## Gulf of Fonseca
The Gulf of Fonseca is a key area for Honduras' border disputes with El Salvador and Nicaragua.
## US as Anchor
The United States is Honduras' largest economic partner with US$12.5 billion in trade and 600 personnel at Soto Cano Air Base.
## Taiwan Recognition
Honduras recognized China in March 2023, but President Asfura has yet to decide on Taiwan.
## Regional Peers
Guatemala has 18.7 million people and US$123.3 billion GDP, while Honduras has 11.0 million and US$39.6 billion GDP.
## Investor Protection
Honduras left the World Bank's ICSID arbitration convention in August 2024 but re-joined in March 2026.
## Border Disputes
Honduras has border disputes with El Salvador and Nicaragua over the Gulf of Fonseca.
## What It Means for US Readers
US investors face legal risks from Honduras' pending US$11 billion claim and remittances impact household budgets.
## Key takeaway

Honduras, with 11 million people, has US$39.6 billion GDP and a 31% remittance share of GDP, faces a Taiwan recognition choice that impacts Central American alliances.