revisiting 2009 - power, dynasty and cojones?

Is Honduras the Jews vs. Arabs "Middle East of the Americas"?

There are two competing narratives out there about the [2009] Honduras coup, and everything I have ever learned about Latin America tells me that both of them are unbelievable.

Narrative A--let's call it the "epiphany narrative", is being promulgated by U.S. lefties like Al Giordano and Caracas-based Chavez-ista Eva Golinger. In this version, Manuel Zelaya, scion of landed aristocracy, runs for President of Honduras on a center-right platform, and wins. Halfway into his term, overwhelmed by the injustice and poverty he now realizes exist in Honduras, he turns his back on his class origins, becomes a populist, allies with Hugo Chavez. Soon the military (backed, of course, by unnamed powerful oligarchs [of primarily Palestinian origin] and the CIA) kidnaps the brave new populist in a vicious coup d'etat.

Narrative B--let's call it the "pajama democracy narrative" comes from the right, and it's even more incredible. In this one, Zelaya is a foaming, power-hungry leftist who falls under the thrall of Hugo Chavez, then tries to force a referendum in order to ensure he can be President for as long as he likes. The legislature and supreme court, horrified by this flaunting of Honduran law, pass a resolution to oust Zelaya for his illegal acts, then unleash some S.O.A.-trained generals to keep Honduras safe for democracy. They uphold the rule of law by grabbing the pajama-clad president in the middle of the night and flying him to Costa Rica.

Neither of these narratives works for me.

So what's really going on in Honduras?

Read more.

Floating placidly in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea some 40 miles off the country's north coast, culturally-distinct Roatan and the other Bay Islands of Honduras are largely immune to the endemic governmental corruption, semi-failed-state-ness, unnerving political and judicial instability, grinding narco-criminality, and dismaying societal disfunction (the "gift that keeps giving," courtesy of a pervasive, culturally-imposed, largely unquestioned, pernicious religious dogma) our fellow countrymen on Mainland Honduras too often find themselves -- heartbreakingly -- immersed in.

Fortunately, risk-averse travelers who wish to visit the Bay Islands can easily avoid the sometimes anxiety-triggering mainland experience altogether. Direct, non-stop flights to Roatan's International Airport (RTB) from various international gateways (Houston, Atlanta, Miami, San Salvador, Milan, Toronto, etc.) make travel to the Bay Islands very similar to visiting any other politically-stable, tranquil, secure, tourist-friendly Caribbean destination.

Bound as we are to "Continental Honduras" by historic events, and -- more recently -- by brotherly love and patriotic solidarity, we Bay Islanders always keep our terra firma compatriots in our thoughts, wishing them peace, tranquility, security, and the associated superior quality of life and relative prosperity we are so fortunate to enjoy here in these truly special, exceptionally beautiful Bay Islands of Honduras.

the first stop

Washington, DC - 79 percent of cocaine smuggling flights leaving South America make their first stop in [mainland] Honduras, and about 80 percent of the cocaine arriving in Mexico from South America destined for U.S. transits through Central America, with Guatemala and [mainland] Honduras as major points entry, said the U.S. government's annual report on world drug trafficking released today.

Translated from Proceso Digital

This information confirms why Hugo Chavez was so hell-bent on getting control of Honduras in June, 2009.

heavyweight in town

Tegucigalpa, Honduras (CNN) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden vowed Tuesday to help Honduras and other Central American nations defeat drug traffickers and fight corruption. But at a meeting with Central American presidents in Honduras, Biden stopped short of supporting a proposal that has gained growing attention in the region in recent weeks: drug legalization. Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said last month that he supported measures to decriminalize drug production, trafficking and consumption. On Tuesday, Central American leaders announced plans to debate the idea at a meeting later this month. Biden "said that he was in favor of an open and genuine debate about the decriminalization of drugs as long as the procedures and possible results are analyzed," according to a Honduran government statement distributed to reporters after Tuesday's meeting.

Source and photo: CNN

Mr. Biden's high-level, message-sending visit to Honduras comes not a minute too soon. It is encouraging to see the Obama Administration finally paying serious attention to my country and the Greater Central America region. Caught in the crossfire of the controversial American-supported "War on Drugs," the entire region is now at a crossroads. Despite the billions spent to eradicate them, the drug cartels (which are really just super well-managed multinational corporations) -- with their thorough societal penetration, indescribable ruthlessness, and immense, overwhelming financial resources -- are winning this widely-questioned "war;" and it is the narcos who are effectively deciding where Centroamérica is headed next.

The drug legalization argument recently tabled by Guatemalan President Otto Perez is interesting. It goes something like this: today Central America is paying for the South to North America drug trade with the lives of a multitude of professional, well-intentioned, and genuinely-committed law enforcement actors; along with a shocking number of (often innocent) civilians caught between the warring sides. Arm-twisted diplomatically by the United States, countries of the isthmus spend significant percentages of their limited national security budgets 'fighting' the drug-smuggling cartels in what has amounted to a futile attempt to stem the northward flow of narcotics. (The illegal substances are - literally - sucked north by the voracious and insatiable demand of the massive end user markets located primarily in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.) Meanwhile, despite the tragic human losses, the denial of a truly safe and peaceful existence for residents of the region, and the onerous economic costs taken on by our governments -- and besides the welcomed (even if miserly and grudgingly-given) U.S. foreign aid -- there is virtually no tangible upside in this U.S.-imposed anti-drug crusade for the seven small states of the region. Instead, Central American authorities have found themselves utterly overwhelmed by the appalling unintended consequences that have resulted from this lunacy of a policy.

According to the United Nations, the global drug trade is worth $322 billion (a 2003 estimate; the 2012 figure is probably over a half trillion dollars). If Central American governments could capture even a fraction of these narcodollars (by legalizing and taxing the trade), there would be a whole lot more financial resources flowing to the region's national coffers (in theory, at least). In other words, suddenly Central America might not be so poor and needy anymore. Imagine that! If used intelligently and appropriately, this potential windfall of "narco-tax" revenues could turbocharge economic growth and help lift the region out of its chronic, historic poverty, and long-standing sub-development. With more employment opportunities available at home, a lot fewer Central Americans would feel desperate enough to illegally immigrate north in search of jobs to support their families. Stateside, tax revenues from a legalized narcotics trade might even help the U.S. Federal Government be materially less dependent on Chinese loans to cover its spending deficits during these challenging economic times.

An aware Central American could understandably ponder, "Damn... We're doing a hell of a lot to help 'protect' our First World friends from these controversial illegal substances they love and desire so much. Yet, the governments in Washington DC, Ottawa, and Brussels have failed to take fair, realistic, adequate, and appropriate responsibility for the horrifying consequences the "War on Drugs" has on Central American societies (and the societies of other regions and countries along the production and smuggling routes. See Mexico, for example.). Our 'smack in the middle' geographic location between the biggest producers of narcotics and the biggest consumers, has forced us (irregardless of whether we wanted to or not) unto the front lines of this much-maligned "war." Continental centroamericanos are paying for this disastrous approach by being submerged in a deep, dark, hope-destroying pit of violence, pain, blood, death, abhorrent corruption, incessant anxiety, chronic insecurity, tragedy, and terror. This is too high a price to be asked to pay for supporting a bankrupt and failed American policy intended to deny - for example - a bunch of carefree twenty-something American college students the ability to score an 8 ball of Colombia's Finest from a drag queen on Ocean Drive and 14th Street while celebrating their spring break in South Beach, Miami."

Under closer analysis, President Otto's proposal to legalize the narcotics trade doesn't seem so far-fetched. It's pretty obvious the status quo (i.e., the "War on Drugs") is a resounding failure that has only resulted in a dreadful loss of human life; the ghettoization of Mexico, Colombia, and Central America ("Oh no! We can't go there! It's too violent!"); and a monumental waste of tax-payers' resources from Canada to Bolivia, and every country in between.

astounding

Over 10,000 signatures have been collected in San Pedro Sula in four days by activists of the movement behind the presidential candidacy of popular TV presenter Salvador Nasralla.

Rocael Ramos, a member of the Anti-Corruption Movement, explained that tables were place in the 18 departments of the country to have a better control of the people who signed in support to the sports commentator.

In these two weeks they hope to collect the signatures needed to allow the Anti-corruption Movement to become a political party, and Salvador Nasralla its candidate for president of the Republic.

Translated from and photo: El Heraldo

I find this news extraordinary for several reasons:

1. The brilliance of naming the political effort the "Anti-Corruption Movement." If there is one thing Hondurans are utterly fed up with, it's the grinding corruption that permeates every level of our government. The name in itself garners immediate support in the minds of voters.
2. Nasralla's appeal is based to a large extent on the fact that he speaks his mind. He's seen as honest, courageous, and not part of the corrupt establishment. Notice in the photo above how the activists are primarily young people. He gives a voice to the aspirations of a new generation of Hondurans.
3. Mr. Nasralla, as they say in the American South, is a 'confirmed bachelor.' He doesn't deny rumors that he's a friend of Dorothy, something that -- incredibly! -- appears to be a non-issue to a large segment of the Honduran people. Honduras, a conservative and very Catholic country, may soon elect its first openly gay president! Simply astounding. 

the secret meeting

Below I've translated the 'diplomatic cable' sent by Ariel Vargas, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy in Tegucigalpa summarizing his secret meeting with Honduran President Porfirio Lobo. While it's rather lengthy, it is a good read as it paints a detailed picture of the unenviable position Lobo finds himself in. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Lobo is trying to maneuver between very powerful interests, while always making sure he's looking out for himself.

Is there a "secret pact" between Lobo and Hugo Chavez? After reading this, I see how that argument could be made, but you be the judge. What really bothers me is that President Lobo, like Zelaya before him, seems much too enthusiastic about undermining and scuttling the Constitution he was elected under and which he swore before the entire nation to abide by, uphold, and defend. We've already seen multiple examples where Chavez and his ALBA flunkies have used constitutional rewrites to entrench themselves in power under the guise of "democracy."

I've highlighted a few eyebrow-raising statements and I added [some comments].

-------
Tegucigalpa, May 15, 2011

In accordance with that reported in our communication-EC No. II2.H2.E1 023/2011 and subsequent to authorization received from the above Office, late in the afternoon I met with President Porfirio Sosa in his private residence, located in the community of El Chimbo, a few minutes from Tegucigalpa. The meeting was informal, in strict reservation, without press, and with no more attendees besides Lobo Sosa and myself.

After the initial formalities, in which I conveyed the greetings of [Venezuelan Foreign Relations Minister Nicolás] Maduro, Lobo Sosa told me that this morning he tried to speak with President Chavez to directly convey his position on the points raised by the Former President Zelaya in mediation, but taking advantage of the call I made as instructed by my Foreign Minister, he decided to propose this meeting so that through this Embassy these considerations could be promptly forwarded to Minister Maduro and President Chavez.

Lobo began referring to the precarious stability of his Government, indicating that in his country there are very powerful groups, being of a "recalcitrant right," that oppose any political, economic and social transformation affecting their class interests. [Here Lobo -- elected recently as a right of center leader, mind you -- appears to be using the language of the Left. The way I see it, these "powerful groups" Lobo refers to are just Hondurans opposed to our President handing our country on a silver platter to a maniac like Chavez. I would say the vast majority of Hondurans make up this "group." I think the word patriots is a more appropriate for these actors than "recalcitrant right," as I've found that these Honduran patriots exist on both sides of the ideological spectrum. It's truly disturbing that Lobo would use this divisive language. It's like he's saying to Chavez, "You and I may have more in common than you realize..."]

These sectors are indeed a threat to his government, as a result he is forced to act with great caution any attempt to improve the present political and economic situation. [The only reason patriots would be a "threat" to his government is if his government was acting unpatriotically. That says a lot.  Also, there is no group of people in Honduras opposed to the government improving the "economic situation." That simply makes no sense. Claims to the contrary are pure ridiculous leftist propaganda aimed at creating class resentment and dividing the Honduran people.]

He said the course he has always followed has been to avoid confrontation and try to negotiate between the parties in order to move forward his ideas and projects. As an example he said this was what it made possible to adopt the amendment of Article 5 of the Honduran Constitution on referendums and plebiscites.

He said that at present the only real support he can count on is from the Armed Forces, because even though it might not seem that way, most of the Honduran military do not oppose the changes that Honduras needs. He made it clear that he would lose this support if he tries to advance these reforms in ways that violate existing laws and in an atmosphere of conflict and confrontation. [Is this an invitation, as Roger Noriega suggested, for Chavez to bribe the upper echelons of the Honduran Armed Forces into agreeing to a constituent assembly? After all, at the end of the day, these officers are employees of the state earning what amounts to Third World military salaries. I bet it would be a difficult decision for some of these officers to turn down a few million narcopetrodollars. Once you got the guys with the guns on board, then it doesn't matter what the "recalcitrant right" says, now does it? Please see Exhibit A: Venezuela.]

In this context, Lobo Sosa asked for the understanding of our government the delicate position in which he is in.

This instability prevents him from complying with some of the proposals that are now on the table of mediation, specifically those that deal with the convocation of a constituent assembly and punishment for those involved in the coup. With regard to the constituent assembly he explained that the conditions under which his government finds itself he can not commit to convening a meeting of this nature without serious political conflict breaking out in Honduras.

He expressed agreement with the need for a constituent assembly to approve the changes needed in Honduras and, to prove that statement, he said that when in 2009 Zelaya began to speak of a fourth ballot box for a survey, he proposed in Congress a "fourth constitutional ballot box" as a mechanism set in the law to carry out the referendum Zelaya wanted. [The only untouchable items in the Honduran Constitution are the definition of its territory, the form of government (republican), and the prohibition on presidential reelection. So, why this urgent need to rewrite a constitution that is 95% amendable? The leftists can never answer this question without resorting to ridiculous demagoguery. Bottom line: they want to get rid of the presidential one-term limit, so that if they manage to get in power (anything is possible when the narcopetrodollars spigot is open and flowing), they have no legal restrictions on staying there. (Not that they would pay attention to legal constraints anyway. Please see Exhibit B: Nicaragua, where the Daniel Ortega-controlled Supreme Court has ruled that constitutional term limits don't apply to him!)]

However, under present circumstances he cannot commit in an agreement with Zelaya to provide for a constituent assembly as he would risk having an end identical to the former president. On this point he recalled that in Cartagena President Chavez had agreed with him that he could not take up the flag of a constituent assembly without endangering his tenure in government.

In his view, the question of the constituent assembly should be treated with much prudence and tact to achieve its realization, and he agrees to help this purpose, but cannot announce it in the public as an agreement. [In other words, the Chavista Venezuelans are setting the agenda of Lobo's administration. Our President will "help them" get a constituent assembly in Honduras (and in the process give full backing and support to the nefarious goals Chavez has for our country), and... he'll take these actions behind the backs and against the will of the majority of the Honduran people. WTF?! I can see why Roger Noriega argues that in this meeting Porfirio Lobo, the President of a country, completely capitulated in his own home to a third- or fourth-level Chavez diplomat. Mr. Lobo shouldn't be surprised if, given these revelations, the Honduran people start questioning his moral character and/or, even more crucially, if he still has the moral authority and stature to be our head of state.] 

He said that in this sense is he's "working" the congressmen of his party and some [opposition] congressmen from the Liberal party. The President Lobo went even further noting that even Zelaya's goal of reelection would be easier to handle by way of the constitutional Article 5 than by way of a re-founding constitutional assembly. [So, this confirms (a) Lobo knows that back in June 2009 Manuel Zelaya was definitely aiming to force through reelection to benefit himself, and (b) that Article 5 was recently amended in the Lobo administration to pave the way for presidential reelection through a referendum or plebiscite. Could it also be a signal to Chavez that "working" these congressmen would be a lot easier with some of his narcopetrodollars to sweeten the deals? Who knows.]

Here he noted that another of the key areas on which he must work to build support for the constituent assembly was the church, both Catholic and Protestant.

He said that if he signed an agreement that mentioned the commitment to a constituent assembly, the Honduran churches (actors with strong political and social influence in his country) would object as they did with Zelaya and the project would collapse, whereas if it is not mentioned in writing but he's given a timeframe to work the idea with the churches, Lobo estimates he could achieve the same result as when he convinced the church to support reform of Article 5 of the Constitution. [I guess everyone has a price, even the clergy.]

the roger noriega interview (continued)

Part 2 of El Heraldo's very revealing recent interview with Roger Noriega (a former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States). Part 1 here.

EH: It's said, "there is no free lunch." How will Hugo Chavez get payback for the favor? 

RN: Yes. Well, I think the same as what the others who are part of the Chavez network have done. [Honduran President Porfirio Lobo] will have to sacrifice some sovereignty, he has to align his foreign policy with Chavez and his group of countries, this implies a decision, in some cases, to work against U.S. interests, which is Chavez's main enemy, [and] receive the Iranians and others who are part of the Chavez network. 

Highlighting something you just said: the presence of Iranians, is that going to happen in Honduras? 

I do not know, I'm telling you what has happened in other countries. 

Will we see Honduras taking positions against the United States? 

I think the best answer is to observe what happens in the coming years. 

What role can the political and military leadership take against Chavez's intentions for Honduras? 

You have to see what they will say, nobody has said anything, but they are probably considering their next steps, and how they will respond. If it is the will of Honduras to change policy in such a profound way, so be it, but if you follow the model of Chavez, what has happened in other countries is corruption, corruption of political institutions, and the destruction of democratic institutions. That is what happened in Venezuela, Bolivia, each day more and more in Ecuador, there are not much [independent democratic institutions left] in Nicaragua. It would be a shame, in my opinion, if Honduras continues on this path. 

The former U.S. ambassador to Honduras, Charles Ford, said Zelaya had some dubious connections. What do you think? 

I do not know what Ford was talking about and I do not I have more information about it. What I heard about the links between drug traffickers and Zelaya (and Zelaya's family and the drug traffickers), has been from my Honduran friends more than anything, rather than U.S. sources. 

Has Chavez requested that Lobo directly help entrench drug trafficking further into the country or is that something that will simply be a result of the pressure that Chavez is placing on Lobo? 

Not to Lobo, I have not heard that [Chavez] has requested something in terms of the presence of drug traffickers. I have heard of the efforts of Chavez directly with Zelaya for licensing Venezuelan airline pilots suspected of having links with drug trafficking. 

In the short term, what is the next step in Chavez's interference in Honduras plan? 

What we will see, in my opinion, is two important things:  one is the destruction of the balance, of the balance of powers, concentration of power in the hands of the President and all that. But if he does it in a transparent way President Lobo could have "the will" of the Honduran people, because the reality is that he (Chavez) uses money to organize the society to implement his plans. 

Does Chavez want to sponsor a presidential candidate? 

Probably yes, he'll probably want to sponsor the National Front for Popular Resistance as a formal actor in politics. 

If Chavez sponsors the front, will it be to support Zelaya? 

Not necessarily because according to our sources in Venezuela, they have lost faith in Zelaya. 

Is there reduced contact between Venezuela and Zelaya? 

Not necessarily, but they do not perceive Zelaya as a reliable man. 

Zelaya does not instill confidence in the Venezuelans? 

According to our sources there are some in the Venezuelan government who believe that they must seek another protagonist in Honduras, because they have the impression Zelaya is a clown, at least that is their impression. 

Zelaya knew of the intentions of Chavez to increase the strength of drug trafficking in Honduras? 

I will not draw conclusions, but when Chavez requested support in the case of the aviation licenses (licensing Venezuelan aviation aircraft personnel), Zelaya delivered, I do not know why, but Zelaya delivered.

Translated from and photo courtesy of El Heraldo.

I think any patriotic Honduran with two brain cells to rub together would agree with Mr. Noriega's alarming assessment of Chavez's intentions. I know that 95% of Hondurans do not want the economic destruction, social chaos, and democratic disruption that would occur if Chavez gets control of our country. If there is a time we Hondurans need strong allies to help us protect our democracy from this maniac, it's NOW. Please help spread the word.

the roger noriega interview

Honduran daily El Heraldo recently interviewed Roger Noriega, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS). The revelations are shocking! 

EH: President Porfirio Lobo qualified as "nonsense" your words that he made a secret deal with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. What do you think of that response? 

RN: Well, it is a fact. Maybe what Venezuela is trying to do may seem like nonsense to him, but in my opinion he has to tell the Honduran people what he's saying in private to the Venezuelans. Hondurans have sacrificed so much to defend their sovereignty and their democratic institutions, and so he has an obligation as a democratically elected leader to tell his people what his plan is, what he's going to do. In my opinion, he has the intention to be Chavez's new Zelaya. 

Zelaya was accused of wanting to get reelection approved so that he could remain in power. Do you think that is what Lobo seeks?

I do not know. In my opinion, if he's made that decision, it is his decision, as it is the opposite position of the political class in Honduras in recent years. I do not want to add more to the rhetoric, I am a private citizen, he is President of a country. For me, President Lobo's conversation with his people is more important that any exchange between him and me. 

What is the true intention of Chávez in Honduras? 

Well, Chavez is a caudillo in Venezuela who has implemented a model for the destruction of the democratic institutions of his country and to establish a network in Latin America of leaders who share his vision. The reality is that Chavez has close relationships with drug traffickers in Mexico, and everyone knows that in Honduras he was involved with Zelaya in constructing an arrangement within the government to informally facilitate the work of drug traffickers in Honduras. 

This is what Chavez and Zelaya were doing in Honduras? 

Well, yes, yes. I heard that from many Hondurans. Hondurans who were authorities in the government of Micheletti and others.

What is the risk for Honduras of the agreement between Lobo and Zelaya? 

In my opinion, it is a question of whether they will follow the path of Honduras or the path of Chavez. If they will defend its sovereignty, democracy, or follow the path of populist caudillo. 

Does Chavez want Honduras to be a narco-state? 

Well, a weak state or a state in chaos. A society facing chaos because of division or political polarization is good news for drug dealers because they can operate with impunity and the authorities are unable to confront the threat. 

Does president Lobo have the ability to say no to Chavez or is he already too compromised? 

Well, (pause of several seconds) ... That is a good question, because the reality is that Honduras is under a lot of Chávez pressure, through his network of countries. They are pushing not only President Lobo, but also Honduran society with violence, strikes, support for agents working in Honduras to disrupt the society. This Chavez policy over the last few years has generated a split in the Honduran people and now they have had to accept an unsavory deal to be reinstated in the OAS, the latest action in the campaign against Honduran society. 

Has there been more meetings with officials of President Lobo and President Chavez? 

Yes, several conversations. Some have been public. 

But there have been more private meetings like the one mentioned? 

Yes. Interestingly, in my opinion, it is rare for a President to talk to a foreign diplomat in this way in his own country, as if he is pleading for a favor. Begging, yielding. Such examples are rare. 

Was there direct pressure from Chavez to annul the corruption trials against Zelaya? 

I think it was all part of the campaign, the rehabilitation of Zelaya from the political point of view. But it is more or less public knowledge they were pushing for that. 

Lobo pleaded with Chavez to help him to return Honduras to the OAS? 

In brutal terms, that's what happened. 

[Read Part 2]

Translated from and photo courtesy of El Heraldo

Wow. Shit, meet fan.

my hero speaks

The Honduran Congress elected Mr. Roberto Micheletti as Interim President of Honduras after Manuel Zelaya was removed from power (by order of the Supreme Court) in June 2009 for ignoring Supreme Court rulings and attempting to illegally abort the country's constitution and remain in power. President Micheletti stood firm and never flinched in the face of tremendous and unprecedented international pressure orchestrated by Hugo Chavez to reinstate the rogue Zelaya. Chavez was so rabidly upset to see his plan to take control of Honduras thwarted that he even threatened an invasion to reinstall his puppet. Mr. Micheletti saw the country through the scheduled general elections of November 2009 which international observers declared the cleanest and most well attended elections in the country's history. In January 2010, he turned power over to Porfirio Lobo, the winner of the elections. Roberto Micheletti is the savior of Honduran democracy. Had he relented one inch, the dark side would have crushed him. This truly amazing man courageously led my country through one of its most harrowing moments. He is an example to follow and he is my hero. Usted tiene todo mi respeto y mi gratitud Señor Presidente.

The people are not interested at all in a constituent assembly. I think we Hondurans are smart enough to realize where the bad is and where the good is. There is a group of communists who want to seize power in the nation and a group of politicians who intend to continue the game that benefits the people of ALBA and, especially, the interests of Chavez. I do not support any constituent assembly, no matter how they paint it.

[...and...]

Hopefully there is no commitment that [President Porfirio Lobo] has made with Chavez, a dictator in his country and, logically, [a person who] does not bring positive consequences for any country in Latin America that has close ties with him. We have seen how he operates. We all know that Chavez does not take one step without having already calculated his political interests.

[...and...]

I'm not inclined to visit the U.S. [where Mr. Micheletti was invited to testify before Congress] simply to avoid being in the same room with [U.S. Ambassador to Honduras] Hugo Llorens, a disrespectful man, a liar, and someone who I think is even more communist than all others. I have many truths to tell because we have learned through WikiLeaks of Llorens's inventions, which did so much damage to Honduras in the past and continues to do so now.

When asked what importance the return of [exiled former President] Manuel Zelaya might have for Honduras, Mr. Micheletti said, "Who is that? I do not remember him. I do not know him. I really believe his presence in the country is irrelevant."

Translated from and photo courtesy of La Prensa

what is chavez up to now?

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez is moving to consolidate his hold on Honduras, after orchestrating the return last Saturday of his puppet,  Manuel Zelaya. Officials in Chávez’s inner circle are wondering how their cash-strapped government can finance yet another “revolutionary” government in Central America. What they fail to realize is that Chávez’s backup plan is to sow chaos in Honduras so it is hospitable territory for his partners in the illegal drug trade and a headache for the United States  and Mexico.

Sources within the Venezuelan foreign ministry are delighted that Honduran President Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo was so quick to pledge his loyalty to Chávez and the same radical reforms that got Zelaya deposed in 2009.

Lobo’s surrender came at a secret meeting in mid-May with Venezuelan envoy Ariel Vargas, held far from the presidential palace at Lobo’s suburban home northeast of the capital. According to sources inside the Venezuelan government, Lobo posed as a fervent revolutionary and begged for Chávez’s patience as he maneuvered around domestic opposition to fundamental constitutional reforms that will allow the people to sweep aside the old order. Lobo suggested to Vargas that he needed help in neutralizing opposition within his own Nationalist Party and the Catholic Church.

Lobo explained a delicate political balance in the country where he could only count on the military for support; officials in Caracas interpreted this as an invitation for Chávez to buy the military’s loyalty to bolster Lobo’s ability to challenge the entrenched power structure. Lobo cautioned that he would lose the military’s backing if he were to label Zelaya’s ouster a coup d'état or call for the punishment of those involved. Indeed, Lobo emphasized this point by joking that if he were to take these particular steps Chávez should be prepared to offer him political exile.

- Roger Noriega (Former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States from 2001-2003 and Assistant Secretary of State from 2003-2005.)  full editorial

Wow. If what Mr. Noriega is alleging is true, it could be argued the Honduran people have yet another traitor President on our hands. These are a very serious accusations being lobbed at Mr. Lobo. I sure hope President Lobo was just feeding Chavez a line of bull. If not, Señor Presidente, you have some 'esplainin' to do.

This map explains why Hugo Chavez is so obsessed with getting his hands on Honduras (for those of you new to this saga: Honduras is smack dab in the center of the northbound narcotics smuggling routes). Again, I pose the question, Why is the U.S. government (apparently) sitting back and allowing the Venezuelan maniac to so grotesquely bully and meddle in the internal affairs of its closest Central American military ally*? The noble Honduran people have already suffered through the wrenching economic trauma that resulted from the political upheaval of June 2009, when our democratic institutions and military were forced to remove from power a president who went rogue after being infected by the Chavez narcopetroviru$. This is starting to look like some kind of twisted rerun of the events of 2009. The Honduran people do not deserve that.

* I know the concept of Honduras being a 'military ally' of the U.S. is laughable at first glance given the vast economic disparity between the two countries. However, Honduras does allow the U.S. military to have a strategic air base on its territory. The only other Latin American country (I'm aware of) that allows U.S. military personnel on its soil is Colombia. Honduras has given the only thing we had to give to this military partnership. The air base is a small but crucial part of our sacred territory that is being used to help protect the American people. In return, we expect the American military to protect us from bullies like Chavez. I don't think that is too much to ask. Hello U.S. Southern Command! Get with the program, guys. Let Chavez know that Honduras is hands off.

quote of the day

It would be a high degree of indifference that as judges we remained silent regarding the latent potential in the coming days that a resolution is produced in favor of an ex-president, motivated by external interference that by way of blackmail is conditioning the re-entry of our country to the OAS to the possibility of canceling trials for corruption.

From the moment you arrive at a judicial decision of law to meet other goals, regardless of how worthy these are, there is a serious injury to the value "justice" and a blatant violation of judicial independence would remain in the annals of history as the most unfortunate precedent that can be bequeathed to courts of this country.

- Honduran Association of Judges and Magistrates (translated from La Prensa)

A group of South American countries aligned with Hugo Chavez are pressuring the Honduran judiciary to annul the corruption trials against former president Manuel Zelaya as a condition for their voting for the return of Honduras to the Organization of American States. Honduras was expelled from the OAS for the forced removal of Zelaya from the presidency in June 2009 for his attempt to abort the constitution, change the form of government, and remain in power.

Obama's weird Honduras policy

Rep. [Ileana] Ros-Lehtinen wrote, "It is troubling to consider that the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Honduras would be undermined by attempts to coerce the Honduran government to take steps that run counter to its legal and constitutional processes in order to pave the way for Manuel Zelaya to return to Honduras without facing judicial consequences." She called on the administration to "immediately cease any efforts being taken to undercut the judicial system in Honduras by pressuring the current government to absolve Zelaya of his crimes."

... and ...

...Advocating for Zelaya's return is nothing short of reckless, resulting most assuredly in a return to rule of the mob and anarchy. Since his removal from power, the oligarch-turned radical-populist has shown no contrition for his abuses of power and disrespect for the country's constitution. He has continued to wave the bloody shirt while in exile in the Dominican Republic. His actions then and now demonstrate he cares not a whit about endangering Honduran lives in the service of his political agenda.

- Jóse Cárdenas, "Is the Administration Trying to Destabilize Honduras," Foreign Policy

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen refers to "the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Honduras." That may sound histrionic, but it's not. Recall, the United States has a military base in central Honduras. There is nothing Hugo Chavez and his ALBA pals would like more than to see it gone. Thus, the strategic move Chavez made to permanently install his puppet Manuel Zelaya in the Honduran presidency in 2009. A move, I should add, the Honduran people, its democratic institutions, and its military heroically repelled. Not a single drop of American blood was shed in protecting our democracy. We took care of matters ourselves. Honduras and its brave people rock!

the trash next door

One [of the secret diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks] states that, during the election campaign that brought him to power in early 2007, [Nicaraguan President Daniel] Ortega and his party, the Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional (FSLN), received international drug money "in exchange for Sandinista judges releasing [drug] traffickers arrested by the police and the military."

...and...

The diplomat paints Daniel Ortega as a rogue character who would do anything to get money: "In September 2004, the boxer Ricardo Mayorga allegedly raped a young woman in a hotel in Managua. Sensing the opportunity to blackmail Mayorga, Ortega and the FSLN agreed to protect the boxer in court in exchange for a share of profits from fighting and that he be featured in political advertisements for Daniel. Mayorga agreed, a FSLN judge found him not guilty in December." According to reports from the U.S., much of the profits from Mayorga's fights went to the pockets of Ortega.

... and..

The president [Daniel Ortega] is completely crazy," says one informant, "he has become a threat to the country.

- Translated from El Pais (Spanish)

Pardon me while I wallow in my schadenfreude. This joker (Daniel Ortega), pressured by Hugo Chavez and his ALBA cronies, refuses to recognize the administration of Porfirio Lobo which resulted from the crisis-ending and massively attended Honduran elections of November 2009. Ortega has also done everything possible to hinder Honduras on the international stage after his pseudo-socialist buddy, Manuel Zelaya, was thrown out of Honduras in June 2009 for attempting to abort our constitution and remain in power. I see some karmic payback being delivered to this schmuck. This WikiLeaks exposé opens the curtains wide and reveals to the world the filth that is Daniel Ortega (something that shouldn't surprise many). The Nicaraguan people do not deserve this cretin! And, frankly, neither does Central America or the rest of the world.

There is a saying in Spanish: Todo cae por su propio peso (Everything falls by its own weight). With the transformation that is occurring in global consciousness, I believe these fake, cynical so-called leaders (Chavez, Ortega, the Castros, Zelaya, etc.) who make fun of, disrespect, and abuse their people will soon become thing of the past.

honduras, nicaragua, and hypocrisy

OAS members signed a special charter nine years ago committing themselves to defend democracy; in Honduras's case, they have been -- to say the least -- hyper-vigilant. But what of neighboring Nicaragua? There, President Daniel Ortega, who, like Mr. Zelaya is a leftist populist, has used blatantly illegal decrees, the manipulation of court rulings and mob violence by his supporters to clear the way for his reelection, even though it is explicitly prohibited by the constitution.

- Washington Post

As an obvious subordinate of Hugo Chavez, OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza is a disgrace to the Organization of American States. It is beyond comprehension that he was reelected to a second term as head of the organization.  If this reptile is the "guardian" of democracy in the Americas, the people of these continents are in big trouble. I am so glad the interim government of Honduras that replaced the rogue Manuel Zelaya administration in June 2009 paid no attention to the "demands" of this beast and -- despite intense international pressure -- simply waited for the scheduled November 2009 elections as a way out of the political crisis. Chavez and his leftist "compinches" (Insulza, the Castros, Correa, Lula, Morales, Fernandez, and Ortega) now have a huge chip on their collective shoulder for Honduras. It irritates the bastards to no end that we are the little country that pushed back hard on their efforts to spread a debunked ideology further into Central America. You lost in Honduras... Suck it up, bitches!

The pendulum is beginning to swing to the right again in Latin America (witness the recent election of Sebastián Piñera in Chile). I predict by the time the pendulum makes its way to the other side none of these leftist schmucks will be standing. This prediction includes the Castros - their time is way past up. Like everyone else in Latin America, the Cuban and Venezuelan people deserve full human rights.

quote of the day

There will be no constituent assembly. I do not think anyone could have the courage to dare to do what that deranged person did who is now living with all comforts in the Dominican Republic.

- Former (Interim) President of Honduras and National Democracy Hero, Roberto Micheletti

Source: El Heraldo

This is a shot across the bow of the Honduran leftists who are demanding a new constitution (they are, at most, 5% of the population).  Mr. Micheletti speaks for the other 95% percent of us who are quite happy with our current constitution and its term limit on the President. The prohibition against presidential reelection makes it virtually impossible for this country to fall under another dictatorship, particularly a socialist one. The effectiveness of our constitution against would-be dictators has shown quite clearly in June 2009 with the ouster of Manuel Zelaya (for illegally attempting to abort it and remain in power.) I have this to say about the Honduran Constitution: "If it works (in safeguarding our democracy and our republican form of government), don't mess with it."

In the immortal words of Mr. Micheletti: ¡Viva Honduras! ¡Viva Honduras! ...y... ¡Viva Honduras!

a quick revisit of june 2009

Last summer I blogged extensively about the political crisis we had in Honduras, when Manuel Zelaya was removed from the presidential seat for illegally attempting to abort our constitution, change our form of government, and -- a la Hugo Chavez -- remain in power in perpetuity. Since then, from his exile in Dominican Republic, Zelaya continues to call for a constituent assembly while goading his ragtag group of left-wing supporters in Tegucigalpa to hold marches and stir up trouble for the government of Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo.  (The Lobo administration is the result of the crisis-ending general elections of November 2009.)  I came across the following (excellent) commentary from a fellow Honduran this morning regarding this whole "changing the constitution" b.s. that Zelaya continues to irritate the Honduran people with:

To all those who support second-rate leaders like Manuel "Mel" Zelaya, please answer the question I have asked several times but which is always ignored: WHAT ARTICLE OF OUR CONSTITUTION MAKES PEOPLE MORE POOR? Or, to put it another way, WHAT ARTICLE MAKES A FEW VERY WEALTHY? You talk about a constituent assembly, yet no one has bothered to submit a formal document saying what so badly needs to be changed in our current constitution.  Seems like the reason Mel wants this constituent assembly is to make the laws to his convenience and forever hold on to the goose that lays the golden eggs. Or am I wrong? If I'm wrong, present a real fact, MENTION AN ARTICLE OF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION THAT OPPRESSES THE PEOPLE.  Do not bother with silly answers like "oligarchy," "illegitimate government," and all this rhetoric that belongs in the sewer. Let's face it, those of us who love Honduras know that what the country needs are laws that are respected. The Constitution is just a piece of paper. What creates the problem is corrupt politicians and other who twist the laws in their favor.

- Miguel45 (commenter on elheraldo.hn)

Bravo Miguel! I couldn't I said it better myself.

Honduras on the front row

Honduran President Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo was given a prominent position on the stage at the inauguration ceremony of new Colombian president, Manuel Santos. I suspect this was done on purpose to show Colombia's solidarity with the Honduran people in our historic defense of our democracy that resulted in the removal of law-breaking Manuel Zelaya from the presidential seat in Tegucigalpa last June. Many South American countries whose governments are under the nefarious sway of Hugo Chavez have refused to recognize Mr. Lobo's government, despite the fact that he was elected by an indisputable majority in what was one of the cleanest and most well-attended elections in Honduran history. Colombia, Peru, and Chile, with their right-of-center governments, are the exceptions to this South American "boycott" of Mr. Lobo. Mexico and all Central American countries (with the exception of Nicaragua and its Chavez puppet Daniel Ortega) have also recognized Lobo. The U.S. and Canada immediately recognized the new Honduran leader when he was sworn in on January 28, this year.

Photo: El Heraldo

Sec. Clinton: readmit Honduras to the OAS

Our ongoing discussions about Honduras makes clear the urgency of this agenda. As we emphasized, when the United States along with the rest of the hemisphere condemned the coup in Honduras, these interruptions of democracy should be completely relegated to the past. And it is a credit to this organization that they have become all but nonexistent in the Americas. Now it is time for the hemisphere, as a whole, to move forward and welcome Honduras back into the inter-American community.

- U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, speaking at the annual meeting of OAS foreign secretaries in Lima, Peru.

Honduras was suspended from the organization after last year's removal of Manuel Zelaya from the presidency for violating the country's constitution in his attempt to remain in power and change our form of government. The reincorporation of Honduras to the OAS is opposed by several socialist, leftist and left-leaning hemispheric governments.

O'Grady: U.S. vs. Honduran Democracy

Four months after a presidential election, reports from Honduras suggest the Obama administration remains obsessed with repairing its foreign-policy image by regaining the upper hand. The display of raw colonialist hubris is so pronounced that locals now refer to U.S. ambassador Hugo Llorens as "the proconsul."

Washington's bullying is two-pronged. First is a maniacal determination to punish those involved in removing Mr. Zelaya. Second is an attempt to force Honduras to allow Mr. Zelaya, who now lives in the Dominican Republic, to return without facing any repercussions for the illegal actions that provoked his removal. Both goals are damaging the bilateral relationship, polarizing the nation and raising the risk of a resurgence of political violence.

- Mary Anastasia O'Grady, WSJ. Full Article 

- Proconsul Ambassador Lloren's response to O'Grady.
- Miguel Estrada's response to Llorens: "A shameful tenure."

This little "exchange" had slipped by me. It is very revealing and speaks volumes.  It begs the following question: Why does the Obama administration appear to be 'falling in line' with the Hugo Chavez agenda when it comes to Honduras? We are talking about the Hugo Chavez who is closely aligning himself with Iran, a dangerous, unpredictable, and bitter enemy of the United States. Is it naiveté? (I seriously doubt there is any naiveté in the Clinton State Department.) Is it all a "show" for the benefit of the "diplomatic community" while the real U.S. agenda is being carried out behind the scenes?  Or is it — and please pardon the conspiracy theorist angle — something more sinister? Whatever is going on, after it's all said and done, I hope it's change the Honduran people can believe in. We have been staunch allies of the American people. We deserve no less.

photo of the day

 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Honduran President Porfirio Lobo yesterday in Guatemala City. Mrs. Clinton urged all Latin American countries to recognize Lobo's government and announced the resumption of U.S. financial cooperation with Honduras.

Photo: El Heraldo

tell 'em, Mr. Obama

I'm starting to warm up to this gentleman again. When the political crisis erupted in Honduras last year, the U.S. State Department seemed lost, confused, and misguided. When it counted, however, the Obama administration did the right thing for its Central American ally. That is, the administration (with some crucial arm twisting from Senator Jim DeMint (R, SC) and a few other Republicans) sided with the Honduran people in our historic fight to protect our democracy from Castro-Chavismo. As annoying as Republican politicians can sometimes be, I'm happy and grateful they are around to keep things in balance. Senator John Kerry (D, MA), for example, seemed ready to hand Honduras over to Hugo Chavez on a silver platter. What a piece of work that one is!