Xiomara Castro

Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, born on September 30, 1959, in Tegucigalpa, is a prominent Honduran politician and businesswoman. Known as Xiomara Castro de Zelaya after her marriage in 1976, she made history by becoming the first female president of Honduras, serving from 2022 to 2026. Her political journey began in the women's section of the Liberal Party of Honduras, where she actively engaged in advocating for women's rights.

Castro's political involvement deepened when her husband, Manuel Zelaya, was elected president in 2005. As first lady, she supported his administration until the 2009 coup d'état forced him into exile. This pivotal moment led her to join the National Popular Resistance Front, marking her commitment to political activism and social justice.

In the 2013 general election, Castro emerged as the presidential candidate for the left-wing Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) party, finishing as the runner-up. She continued to challenge the political status quo by serving as Salvador Nasralla's running mate in the 2017 elections, where they narrowly lost amidst allegations of electoral irregularities. Her perseverance paid off when she was elected president in the 2021 elections, defeating National candidate Nasry Asfura.

Castro's election was a significant milestone, as she became the first president from outside the traditional two-party system since the restoration of democracy in 1982. In recognition of her influence, she was ranked ninety-fourth on Forbes's list of the world's one hundred most powerful women in 2023.