The military coup in Honduras

Colin Smith — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:59:02 +0000

It’s funny that Zelaya was ousted as quickly as he was after my return from Roatan. I was having brunch with a bunch of people down there two weeks ago and my friend Caroline was telling me about all of the tensions in Honduras and how it was impacting Roatan. Problems like islander revolts against RECO, the island power company, and blockades of the airport had become common place. She said that tensions on the mainland were becoming worse and an overthrow of the President was possible. Fast forward a bit: Zelaya is out, talking strategy with Hugo Chavez and the Honduran military is confronting its country’s own citizens with threats of force.

Going forward, I think that Zelaya has the right to remain President of the country he was elected to govern. Any situation involving a military intervention against civilians elected by people to serve as constitutional officers is bad. Criticisms of Zelaya potentially evolving into stooge of Hugo Chavez are likely exaggerated.

What will be interesting to watch, however, is how the current Honduran government reacts to worldwide criticism of its actions. In all likelihood, Zelaya will remain out as President and will be left to throw mud as a political gadfly. I do not see circumstances shifting to allow for his peaceful reinstatement as President of the Republic of Honduras.

It’s a loss for democracy in Latin America. Having spent so much time in Honduras I would have hoped for more. Time will tell.

Colin J. Smith » Coup

The military coup in Honduras