More information about Honduras is available on the Honduras Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
Honduras is an ally of the United States, and its population has historically registered some of the highest favorability ratings in the hemisphere toward the United States. U.S. policy in Honduras focuses on deterring illegal immigration to the United States; strengthening democratic governance, including the promotion of human rights and the rule of law; enhancing economic prosperity; and improving the long-term security situation in the country. U.S. government programs promote a healthy and open economy capable of sustainable growth, an improved business and investment climate, protection of U.S. citizen and corporate rights, and the well-being and security of the Honduran people. The United States works with Honduras to address regional challenges – including illegal immigration, the fight against transnational criminal networks, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking in persons – and encourages and supports Honduran efforts to protect the environment.
An estimated one million Hondurans reside in the United States, approximately 600,000 of whom are believed to be undocumented. Immigration issues are an important item on the bilateral agenda. The U.S. government’s engagement in Honduras is designed to work with the Honduran government, civil society, and private sector to address root causes of illegal immigration to the United States and provide avenues for Hondurans to build a productive future in their country.
With the inclusion of cruise ship visitors who primarily visit the Bay Islands (Roatan), more than 1.25 million U.S. citizens visited Honduras in 2019, and approximately 31,000 U.S. citizens presently reside in Honduras.
U.S. Assistance to Honduras
U.S. foreign assistance in Honduras invests in citizen security, governance, and economic growth to discourage illegal immigration, improve government services, increase transparency, fight corruption, and support repatriation and reintegration efforts.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States is the chief trading partner for Honduras. Bilateral trade between the two nations totaled an estimated $12.3 billion in 2018. The value of U.S. goods exported to Honduras was $6.9 billion in 2018, with Honduras exporting $5.4 billion in goods to the United States. The United States’ goods trade surplus with Honduras was $889 million in 2018.
The U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in 2006. It eliminates most tariffs and other barriers for U.S. goods destined for the Central American market, provides protection for U.S. investments and intellectual property, and creates more transparent rules and procedures for conducting business. CAFTA-DR also aims to eliminate tariffs within Central America and facilitate increased regional trade, benefiting U.S. companies that manufacture in Honduras. Leading U.S. exports to Honduras include petroleum products, textile and fabrics, cotton yarn, electrical equipment, chemicals, manmade staple fibers, computer and electronic products, machinery, and food products and cereals (corn, soybean meal, wheat, and rice). Nearly all textile and apparel goods that meet CAFTA-DR’s rules of origin are duty-free and quota-free, offering opportunities for U.S. fiber, yarn, fabric, and apparel manufacturers.
According to the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Honduras (stock) was $504 million in 2018, a 64.1 percent decrease from 2017. In 2017, the direct investment position from Honduras in the United States (inward) was -$62.0 million.
Honduras’ Membership in International Organizations
U.S. initiatives in international fora generally garner Honduran support. Honduras and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, the World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund.
Bilateral Representation
Principal U.S. embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Honduras maintains an embassy in the United States at 1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036 (tel. 202-966-7702).
More information about Honduras is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
- CIA World Factbook Honduras Page
- U.S. Embassy
- USAID Honduras Page
- History of U.S. Relations With Honduras
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
- Export.gov International Offices Page
- Millennium Challenge Corporation: Honduras
- Library of Congress Country Studies
- Travel Information