Friday, July 31, 2009

Miami summer run

I'm currently in Miami running a few errands and visiting some friends.


View from my friend Jeffim's balcony. Originally from Russia, Jeffim is a PhD student doing cutting-edge cancer therapy research at the University of Miami School of Medicine.


Jeffim and Butters. Son of a Greek Olympic athlete, Jeffim is one of those people like my mom: part human, part angel.

hero

What we have is an independent country that has complied with the law. Whatever any other country says that's just simply their opinion, which I respect. [...] We do not want any country interfering in the internal affairs of Honduras.

- Roberto Micheletti, Constitutional President of the Republic of Honduras

Photo and Source: El Heraldo [Google translation]

Micheletti isn't perfect (who is, right?), but I'm so happy and grateful that a man of his experience, fortitude, and gravitas has been empowered to lead the rescue of Honduras from the immediate threat posed by Hugo Chavez.

Señor Micheletti, estamos con usted!

the Zelaya file

On Friday, July 24, when he finally went through the chains of exile and stepped back unto Honduran soil, dragging much of the world's attention with him, Zelaya opted to walk back and return to Nicaragua. The lights went out, but the function has continued.

Source: La Prensa Nicaragua [Google translation]

All hat, no balls.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

peace


Snorkeling at Pigeon Cay...


... in the Bliss syrup.

Peruvian journalist's exposé of Zelaya

This is in Spanish. If you understand Spanish, please watch. It reveals who Manuel Zelaya really is.

disrespecting the Nicaraguans, too

Under the title "Ocotal is a Zelaya fiefdom," El Nuevo Diario of Nicaragua reported this week that orteguistas [Ortega supporters] and zelayistas [Zelaya supporters] blocked the entrance to [the town of] Ocotal preventing the passage of a delegation of Nicaraguan congressmen carrying a letter to the former president of Honduras.

In the letter, the deputies belonging to the Nicaraguan Democratic Caucus, were asking Zelaya to respect the hospitality of Nicaragua and to refrain from causing irregular actions within the country, go to another nation where his activities are tolerated, or to cross the [border] and return to his country.

However, it was impossible to deliver the document due to the reaction of the former president's supporters, who blocked the entrance [to Ocotal] with rocks, branches and metal fences.

Source: El Heraldo

Not allowing free transit to Congressmen in their own country. Nice.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Zelaya fading

What if you threw a revolution and no one came?

All of these stunts and ultimatums have done more to strip the mask from Zelaya and reveal him as a dictator-in-gestation, and show that Honduras had the right idea when they arrested him, even if the execution of the idea was debatable. Small wonder that Zelaya didn’t get adoring crowds this weekend; the adoration has dwindled down to the core Chavistas.

Entire piece here.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

bbc: Zelaya staging 'road show'

If the exiled President Manuel Zelaya really wanted to enter Honduran territory, he could do so very easily.

Article.

U.S. congressmen meet with Micheletti


United States congressmen, led by Connie Mack, Republican of Florida, met today with Honduran president, Roberto Micheletti, and will remain in Tegucigalpa until Monday. In addition, the lawmakers will meet with Members of Congress, judges of the Supreme Court, the Public Ministry officials, businessmen and representatives of social sectors.

Photo and source: El Heraldo

Call me optimistic, but I sense a world opinion shift happening.

quote of the day

The struggle being waged in Honduras at this moment, is the struggle of the people who are still safe and unharmed from the assault by that forgery that has its headquarters in Caracas and Havana. History has put you in this fight that is so important for Latin America. If let them take away your nation, you will have made irresponsible use of the joy of being free.

- Raul, a Spanish commenter, El Heraldo

Wow! I couldn't have said it better. Bravo, Raul!

peace


Guests enjoy lunch aboard the Kiton while on a day trip to Pigeon Cay. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

with friends like these...

The FARC (the FARC!) has condemned the constitutional succession that ocurred in Honduras, and has expressed "solidarity" with the effort to reinstate Zelaya.

Source: El Heraldo

FARC is a Violent non-state actor (VNSA), considered a terrorist group by the Colombian government, the United States Department of State, Canada and the European Union.

- wikipedia

You know there is something weird going on when the United States and the FARC are the same side of an issue. Read The Fall of Hugo Chavez Has Begun for an understanding of how the FARC, Chavez, ALBA, and Zelaya are all tied together.

bleak future

it's starting to sink in

I find it funny that people take him seriously with this "innocent poll" idea, since when can you conduct a valid poll by a distributing ballots (by the military) like it was an election and then saying it is non-binding. You want a poll, you get a polling agency to do it, what they were doing is a vote!

...and...
Polls are done door to door by private companies or through the phone. What he wanted to do was a referendum because you had to go to a polling station, present your ID, fill out a form in secret, and have your finger painted with ink so that you wouldn't be able to vote again. Does that sound like a poll? No, that's the exact same thing people do during elections.

But to make matters worse... he had his own people running the referendum... they would do the counting and present the results directly to him. Do you really doubt the outcome of the referendum?

- comments on Huffingtonpost.com

Read Zelaya's Diabolical Plan for June 28

Friday, July 24, 2009

San Pedro Sula marches for Micheletti


Photo: El Heraldo.

This afternoon while Mel was pulling his dangerous stunt on the border a massive march took place in San Pedro Sula in support of Micheletti.

just another attempt to trigger bloodshed

Zelaya's visit to the Las Manos border crossing today was just another brutal attempt to trigger bloodshed in Honduras. He wants the new government to be sullied with blood. All he's really achieving is to look like a reckless idiot.

You're not worth one drop of Honduran blood, Zelaya.

latest Information from the border

  • U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Zelaya's entrance into Honduran territory "reckless."
  • The Nicaraguan press is reporting that Zelaya has crossed into Honduran territory briefly, but has now returned to the Nicaraguan side.
    [UPDATE: it appears Zelaya never actually entered Honduran proper, just a "neutral" border strip]
  • Zelaya has requested a meeting with the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces "to resolve this."
    [UPDATE: This request was ignored.]
  • President Micheletti has requested that Zelaya "desist from his pretension to provoke violence."
  • Security forces at the border pulled back 25 meters into the Honduran side and allowed Zelaya to enter.
  • An army official has informed extraofficially that he has orders from his superiors to "have a conversation" with the deposed president.
  • Patricia Rodas, the former foreign minister, is accompanying Zelaya. Her laughable statement: "Today we are taking sovereign possession of the country." Crazy wench.
  • Honduras's Security Minister has announced that Zelaya will be arrested at the "opportune moment." He noted that to Hugo Chavez, "Zelaya is worth more dead than alive" to promote his political and military objectives.
  • The deposed president arrived shortly after noon to the sector located between Nicaragua and Honduras, with the supposed intention of entering Honduras.
  • Zelaya is saying that he wants to establish a dialogue with the Honduran armed forces and police.
  • There is a curfew in place at all border provinces from 12 Noon today until 6AM tomorrow.
  • Zelaya is traveling with Nicolas Maduro, the foreign minister of Venezuela. [As always, the hand of Chavez is present.]

Zelaya at Las Manos


CNN is reporting that Manuel Zelaya has arrived at the Las Manos border crossing between Nicaragua and Honduras.


Zelaya traveled north from Managua yesterday.


The Honduran side of the shared border is heavily fortified by the military and police forces. Micheletti's government is trying to avoid a confrontation between Zelaya's supporters and the armed forces that could result in bloodshed.

Connie mack to visit Honduras


Connie Mack, U.S. Representative (R, FL)

A group of lawmakers led by Republican Connie Mack, will travel to Honduras this weekend to express to the Honduran government its support for a peaceful solution.

On this first trip to Honduras by U.S. congressmen after the events of June 28, the lawmakers are scheduled to meet with in Tegucigalpa with representatives of Roberto Micheletti's government and other public authorities.

"I hope to get to Honduras to hear directly from members of the government of Honduras about the political situation, as well as the progress of negotiations in Costa Rica," said Mack.

"It's important to remember that the departure of Manuel Zelaya was not a coup. The Supreme Court of Honduras, the Attorney General, Congress and the Honduran people did the right thing to stand up to Zelaya when he usurped the law and attempted to destroy the Constitution, "he said.

"At this time of turmoil, the people of Honduras deserve to know that United States and other freedom-loving nations around the world and want to support a peaceful and legal solution," he added.

Source: El Heraldo

the nerve!


Today Argentine President Cristina Kirchner proposed the approval of project at the 37th Annual Mercosur Summit to not recognize the the Honduran elections scheduled for November unless Zelaya is restored to power.

Yeah, that's just what Honduras needs: more uncertainty. Looks like someone has her panties in a wad because her leftist buddy was thrown out of the country. Mind your own business, wench!

we support you, sir


Roberto Micheletti, Interim President of Honduras.

Thank you for your stalwart defense of our Constitution, our democracy, and our liberty.

FARC and ALBA

The FARC, drug traffickers and the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), which Honduras joined at the insistence of deposed president, Manuel Zelaya Rosales, "are the same thing in that all the presidents of Alba are linked to the FARC and thus to drug trafficking."

- Alejandro Peña Esclusa, president of UnoAmerica

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Tegucigalpans supporting Micheletti


This is an impressive photo of yesterday's peach march in Tegucigalpa. The Spanish words read: Another massively-attended march for democracy. These peace and democracy marches are intended to show the world that Hondurans support Roberto Micheletti's Interim Government.

Source: La Tribuna.

the OAS's double standard

Honduran Foreign Minister Carlos Lopez Contreras compared the position of the OAS in the case of former Ecuadorian president Lucio Gutiérrez, ousted in 2005, with the ouster of Manuel Zelaya.

"Gutierrez dissolved the Supreme Court and the [Ecuadoran] Congress deposed him for attempting against a power of the state. The military captured and expelled him from the country and he ended up in Brazil ... and nothing happened," he recalled.

"In the case of Honduras, where a legal succession occurred according to its Constitution, there is a big surprise."

Source: El Heraldo

police: 32,820 pounds of cocaine confiscated

Yesterday Honduran National Police authorities revealed that in the last 4 years 14,887 kilos (32,820 pounds or 16.4 short tons) of cocaine have been confiscated and they have arrested a total of 2,584 people on charges of possession and drug trafficking. They also highlighted the seizure of 21 narco-aircraft originating from Venezuela in 2009 alone.

Source: La Tribuna

Wholesale value of a kilo of cocaine is around US$20-35K. Broken down into $60 grams the street value shoots to around US$60,000 per kilo [wikianswers.com]. So, using an average wholesale price of $27,500 per kilo, the wholesale value of the confiscated cocaine is approximately $409,392,500. The street value of this same amount of cocaine is $893,220,000.

Let's say (optimistically) the police were able to interdict and confiscate 25% of the coke moving through Honduras these last four years, in other words, 45,000 kilos were still able to get through. The wholesale value of this cocaine would be $1.2 billion. U.S. street value: $2.7 billion.

"culpable negligence"


Last night Honduran Foreign Minister Carlos Lopez Contreras accused OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza of "culpable negligence" for his failure to properly analyze the crisis facing Honduras in the wake of the impeachment of former President Manuel Zelaya on June 28. "Insulza presented a biased report on the situation (to the OAS)," he added.

The secretary of the OAS traveled to Tegucigalpa on July 3 to discuss the removal of Zelaya and meet with political, religious, trade union, and industry leaders.

Based on Insulza's report, the OAS General Assembly Zelaya ordered Zelaya's restitution. The government of President Roberto Micheletti has refused to do this because it maintains that procedures established in the Constitution of the Republic have been followed.

Lopez Contreras argued that "there is a manipulation of the OAS to condemn Honduras which we denounce because it is not possible that all the foreign ministers of the Americas would make such a sudden mistake based on a report by the Secretary General who has an unidentified interest in this issue."

Source: El Heraldo

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Roatanian-Americans talk to U.S. Ambassador Llorens

Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:39 AM
Summary of our meeting with US Ambassador, Hugo Llorens

There were 5 of us attending the meeting, Mitch Cummins, Russ Summerell, Lloyd Davidson, Gary Chamer, and Eldon Bolton. We spent about 1 hour and 20 minutes with the ambassador. I think that this was an extraordinary amount of time.

We began by introducing ourselves, establishing our credentials (between us there was about 85 years of experience in Honduras), and stating our position on the actions that led up to and have occurred since June 28. Hugo Llorens was polite and actively listened to our points. He then expressed his and the State Department's position. This did not vary from what we've all read and heard. A lively debate followed the ambassador's presentation. Neither side changed the other's opinion on the base issues.

Here are some key points of our discussion:

The US recognizes that Mel Zelaya committed various crimes. The US feels that there was time to pursue a more "normal" legalprocess to deal with those crimes. Our position was that the Hondurans didn't feel that there was time. They felt that the "poll" on that Sunday was the action that was going to cause the fall of their democracy. They felt that they HAD to act then.

The US believes that the resolution of the crisis must come from the negotiations in Costa Rica. This includes the NEGOTIATED return of Zelaya. I add the emphasis on "negotiated" because I believe that they are backing off the "unconditional" return that has been stated by other countries. During the conversation, Ambassador Llorens stated emphatically that the US would NOT allow Chavez or any other foreign power to invade Honduras. The US still sees Honduras as a friend and ally. We presented 155 signed letters opposing the US position regarding Honduras. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SENT THE LETTERS IN!!! These 155 letters were collected in less than 24 hours - that response is amazing!

We asked for the Bay Islands to be removed from the travel advisories. The Ambassador was going to check with his legal team, but felt that could be done. I personally believe that will happen pretty quickly.

The US feels that their position has given Honduras the space to negotiate a way out of this crisis. They have not been very vocal against what's happened. By this I mean that they are not out slamming the current government every day. They are firm on their position, but are not beating Honduras over the head with that position. We believe that this may have been the first time that Hugo Llorens had discussed these issues with Americans that believed as strongly in an opposing view to his. He is sequestered in the embassy - he's not allowed to leave Tegucigalpa. I think that it was VERY good for him to hear a contrary opinion.

Hugo Llorens said that if there were other Americans that wanted to meet with him, he would make time for them. I think he was sincere about that. He also said that as soon as he was allowed, he would come out to the islands. As we were leaving we let his assistant know that we were going to be more vocal in our opposition to the US position.

After we left the ambassador we went back to the hotel and were debriefing over a beer. We received a phone call saying that the Honduran Foreign Minister had heard about our meeting and the petition that we presented. The Foreign Minister's office wanted to meet with us.

We spent well over an hour with 3 advisors to the Foreign Minister. We began by stating our solidarity with the Honduran people and the actions that were taken. We talked about the letter, what it said, who had responded, etc. They want to publish that information both domestically and internationally. We also talked about what we saw as issues that the government was facing. We talked about the fact that the debate on was it a coup or not is over. Don't spend another ounce of energy on that argument.

Honduras has to focus on the future. We pushed very hard to promote the idea that Herb Morici presented at the meeting on Monday. That idea was to get Pepe Lobo and Elvin Santos to stand together and present a common front until the campaign starts. It's time for them to become the poster boys of the next government. They liked that idea and said that they would work to make that happen quickly.

We also talked about ways that the ex-pat community and the Foreign Ministry can interact and coordinate. I believe that we established a good relationship in that meeting and I'm positive that you will see some good work between the two groups.

At the end of the day, we made our voices heard to the US Ambassador to Honduras. I'm positive that he heard our message that we do not agree with the official position. I am confident that the Bay Islands will be removed from the US travel advisories. I think that we've opened a dialogue with the ambassador that should be continued until this crisis is resolved. I think that we've been able to impress upon the current government of Honduras, at a high enough level, that it is imperative that the 2 candidates step forward and begin to be the face of the Honduran future. I think that we've established a working relationship with the Foreign Minister's office so that we can help each other through the next several months.

All in all, it was a long but productive day. I think that I speak for all of us attending these meetings when I say that it was one of the most interesting days I've experienced in a long time.

- Mitch
Paradise Computers, S.A.
Roatan's #1 Technology Provider Since 1997
www.paradise-computers.com

The Fall of Chavez Has Begun

By Michael Garret (English journalist)

Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan president, has deployed a brutal persecution against Honduras, a small Central American nation, with great social inequality and government corruption. It all started when Manuel Zelaya, one of his pupils and whose election campaign he financed, was ousted from power.

Chávez has reacted with all his strength and international influence. He devoted all public and formal events to verbally attack and threaten Honduras. It appears that he is in a fight against time. So the countries of the world and analysts have begun to ask: Why is Hugo Chávez in such a hurry?
  • He had the OAS condemn [and suspend] Honduras, pressing his friend Jose Miguel Insulza [the Secretary General of the OAS]
  • He constantly called the presidents of countries in the region to take action against Honduras and made sure the topic was not dropped in the media. This has resulted in interventions by Cristina Kirshner (Argentina), Rafael Correa (Ecuador), Evo Morales (Bolivia), among others.
  • He pays millions to protesters, union leaders, and military elements to riot in Honduras.
  • He introduced 5,000 guerrillas in Honduras (with false passports delivered by President Zelaya). The troublemakers were from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.
  • He financed and directed the operation to try to reinstate Zelaya in a Venezuelan plane, a military operation called "Swarm of Bees."
  • He recently coined the phrase "bloodbath" and urged other presidents to mention that phrase to terrorize the people of Honduras. Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Fernando Lugo of Paraguay and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua have begun using this phrase.
  • He financed travel, lodging, and a private jet for the overthrown Zelaya.
  • He has pressed the President of the United States to take more drastic action against Honduras.
What is Chavez looking for? You have to be stupid not to realize that this brutal persecution is due to something very big and transcendental for the plans of Chavez.

Some have speculated that it is love for and the prestige of ALBA (the socialist movement that he is pushing), others say there is oil in northern Honduras and he wants to have the right to exploit it.

No sir, this is THE TRUTH about what Hugo Chávez is looking for in Honduras:

Chávez has become the biggest drug trafficker in the Americas according to the Congress of the United States. How has he done that? The real business in drug trafficking is not selling drugs, but rather having "drug routes." The person who has a route has a truly multi-million dollar drug-trafficking business.

Well, Hugo Chávez developed in Honduras the PERFECT DRUG ROUTE to distribute the drugs coming from Bolivia and Colombia (FARC) to the Mexican Cartels, and finally to its destination in the United States.

This is the reason he is in such a HURRY! Honduras was the MAIN DRUG BRIDGE. Fourteen planes with Venezuelan flags landed in Honduras (with drugs and money) in recent months. [And these are only the ones that were detected.]

What Hugo Chávez lost in Honduras was "the most important DRUG ROUTE in the Americas" with earnings of more than $100 million monthly.

This flow of drugs is the financial arm of ALBA. So, at this time, Chavez has no source of income to finance ALBA. It's that simple, and thus his BRUTAL ATTACK on Honduras.

May the world know.
-------

Wow. What Garret is suggesting all adds up and makes sense.

A question for American citizens: Are you okay with your government siding with actors against which the above could even be alleged?

Take action! We need to let world opinion know what really is happening in Honduras. Please send a link to this blog post to your friends and family. The URL is
http://myroatan.blogspot.com/2009/07/fall-of-chavez-has-begun.html

Tegucigalpa: peace and democracy march


This morning thousands of Hondurans participated in a peaceful march in the capital to show their support for peace, democracy, and the Interim Government headed by Roberto Micheletti. Note the predominance of white clothing symbolizing desire for peace.


A friend sent me this photo. Damn straight!

Top Photo and Source: El Heraldo.

peace


Ana and Isabel enjoy the water at Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

statement signed by 85+ civil organizations

In a statement submitted to world opinion, more than 85 organizations of Honduran society reiterated their full support to the Interim Government presided by Roberto Micheletti, and clarified to the national and international public opinion their support for peace and democracy in Honduras.

Read the translated statement (Scroll down to see the list of organizations that signed the statement of support.)

Honduran police: Zelaya will be arrested if he returns

Deputy Minister of Security, Saul Bueso Mazariegos, warned that the position of the police is resolute. Unless the courts withdraw the arrest warrants against former President Manuel Zelaya Rosales, there will be no turning back from arresting him when the opportunity presents itself so that he can answer the charges made against him. There are 18 arrest warrants issued for the ousted president for various crimes committed during his tenure, including the "treason to the Motherland" for attempting to reform the Constitution in an illegal manner. He added that the police is a public service institution that is tasked with implementing and enforcing the laws and Constitution of the Republic.

Source: El Heraldo

quote of the day

I am extremely concerned about the support from [Barack Obama's] Administration for the return of Manuel Zelaya to power and the rejection of the legitimacy of the Honduran Constitution, the Supreme Court, Congress, the Electoral Tribunal, Attorney General and the Human Rights Commissioner.

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, U.S. Representative (R, FL)

who said it had to be "by the book"

Why then the turning of the proverbial back on Honduras, a nation who in following their laws, were forced to force their power-hungry, over-reaching leader out of office and the country? Why publicly side with the likes of Chavez and the Castros, especially when they are so clearly wrong and manipulating the rhetoric of democracy to condemn a people brave enough to stand up to their brand of political thuggery and strong-arming?

The process of removing threats to liberty is not always pleasant, and certainly offers no comfort to the weak-of-heart. But when has it ever been easy to maintain freedom even in a free country like our own? Who said it had to be "by the book" when bad people are opposed and prevented from dominating others? When we remain silent, evil triumphs. Hugo Chavez won't stop trying to implement disciples of his socialist totalitarianism in countries in Central and South America. Consequently, we must never stop promoting and supporting those who oppose such soul-crushing authoritarianism, even if only with words. Just because we can't send troops doesn't mean we can't help change the course of history for other freedom-loving people.

- R.J. Moeller, U.S. conservative

Honduras's democracy was in imminent danger when the Supreme Court acted, ordering the military to arrest Manuel Zelaya. The authorities had given Zelaya multiple warnings and every opportunity to abort his attempt on the Constitution, but he continued to forge ahead with it anyway. In fact, at the last minute he changed the rules of the game by publishing an executive decree calling the poll a "call to constituent assembly." Zelaya was playing the game from the Hugo Chavez playbook. That very Sunday night, June 28, he was going to call a constituent assembly, dissolving Congress and dismissing the Supreme Court. The revolting part is that he was going to do all this without authentic approval from the Honduran people. Don't believe me? Read this.

quotable quote

The problem goes beyond Zelaya. We do not want Chavez to rule Honduras. That is the key to the problem.

- Adolfo Facussé, president of the National Association of Manufacturers of Honduras

Micheletti to Chavez: get out!


The Honduran government has requested that Venezuela withdraw its embassy staff from Tegucigalpa. This request comes as a result of the intervention of President Hugo Chavez in the internal affairs of the country.
Given that the government of Venezuela has made threats to our forces, has been meddling in affairs exclusive to Honduras, has disregarded our sovereignty, we respectfully request the removal of all ... its diplomatic administrative staff in the service of the Venezuelan Embassy here in Honduras.

- Martha Lorena Alvarado, Deputy Foreign Minister of Honduras

Photo and Source: El Heraldo

increasing U.S. pressure on Micheletti

[Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's chief spokesman, P.J. Crowley] said that [Clinton] made it clear that the United States was ready to use its enormous leverage over Honduras if Micheletti's government does not comply [with the San Jose negotiations]. The administration has so far withheld $18.5 million in aid to Honduras, but it could also stop an additional $180 million in development aid. The United States also has huge leverage through trade because 70% of Honduras' exports go to the United States.
...and...
Micheletti confirmed he had spoken to Clinton and said he told her to send a trusted envoy to Honduras to get a "real" picture of what is happening. "We've tried to explain what went on here before June 28," he said, "and everyone just wants to hear what happened on June 28."
Source: Los Angeles Times

It seems the U.S. position is to support the elected executive (Zelaya), no matter what. Doesn't matter if he is an extreme danger to the very democracy they claim they are wanting to protect. Seems to me that is like drowning the baby (democracy) in the nasty, dirty bath water (Zelaya).

You know, when I read about what has happened in Venezuela and to a lesser extent in Ecuador these last few years, i.e., the installation of socialist dictatorships, I often asked myself questions like: Why did these people let this happen to them? Didn't they see it coming? How could they allow one person to gather so much power that he could undo their constitutions and institutions and remake them in some twisted new fashion that is such a sharp departure from the way things were before? Are they all wimps and pushovers? Don't they give a rat's ass about their form of government?

Now I'm starting to understand. I'm sure there were people in Venezuela who saw what Chavez was going to do and stood up to him. In fact, I'm sure there are people in Venezuela who gave their lives trying to stop Chavez. But if we use the current situation in Honduras as evidence, when push comes to shove, the international community will turn its back on the patriots and lend to support the desires of the megalomaniac.

This betrayal of patriots and democracy is done under the label of "protecting our interests." The U.S., for example, is scared shizless of appearing to support a coup (even a "wise" coup) because it doesn't want to be knocked of its "Beacon of Democracy and Liberty" pedestal. "Losing this moral high ground" would give it "less leverage" in "future events" "when democracy is threatened around the world." Therefore, the U.S. takes an unreasonable position -- like the one it has with the current Honduras crisis -- of sacrificing the desires of an entire nation of people whose democracy is, in fact, threatened in order to support one freak simply because he was the 'elected official.' So, the U.S. is not really a supporter of democracy per se, but rather it is a supporter of its image that it is a supporter of democracy. That's some screwed up shiz, if you ask me.

What about our Constitution? What about our other democratic institutions? Our Supreme Court and Congress exist specifically to provide the 'checks and balances' that prevent egomaniacs like Zelaya from destroying our form of government. Why are these institutions less worthy of international support? Why? Please - somebody - explain this to me.

no means no


The question: "Do you agree that Mel be restored to power in a 'National Reconciliation' government?" No, Si (Yes).

This poll is evidence that the position of President Micheletti's delegation at the San Jose talks is in accord with the sentiment of the Honduran people. We know that Manuel Zelaya is controlled by Hugo Chavez. We know that Hugo Chavez has lots of money, no scruples, and is hell-bent on getting his way in Honduras. We know what Chavez wants to abort our true democracy and install Zelaya as a dictator under his command. So why even risk it? Our freedom and democracy are precious to us.

Source: La Tribuna

Monday, July 20, 2009

early elections, a solution I like

"Zelaya is fighting with all the institutions in the country. He is in no condition really to govern." And that's the truth. According to Mexican pollster Mitofsky's April survey, Zelaya was Latin America's least popular leader. Only 25 percent of the nation supported him. Another survey found that 67 percent of Hondurans would never vote for him again. Why? Because the Hondurans attributed to him a deep level of corruption; because they assumed he had links to drug trafficking, especially drugs originating in Venezuela, as former U.S. Ambassador to the O.A.S. Roger Noriega revealed in a well-documented article published in his blog; and because violence and poverty -- the nation's two worst scourges -- have increased dramatically during his three years in power.

Simply put, a huge majority of the country -- including the two major political parties (including Zelaya's), the Christian churches, the other branches of government and the armed forces -- do not want him as president. All agreed that he should finish his mandate and leave power in January 2010, but no one wanted him to break the law to keep himself in the presidency.
...and...
The solution is to move forward with the general elections planned for November. It's a solution within everyone's reach: the candidates are already there, freely elected in open primaries, and both enjoy much popularity. Why plunge this society irresponsibly into a maelstrom of violence? Once the new government is selected, a government that enjoys the legitimacy generated by a democratic process, the Honduran people can push this lamentable episode into the past.

- Carlos Alberto Montaner, a Cuban-born writer, journalist, and former professor.

Full column here. Excellent read.

now this one, too


"Nicaraguan opposition lawmakers on Monday condemned a public appeal for constitutional changes by President Daniel Ortega as an attempt to extend term limits and eventually allow the leftist leader's re-election."

Source: AP

I can imagine all these lefties (Chavez, Zelaya, Ortega, Correa, Kirchner, etc.) gathered around the feet of ailing Fidel Castro as he teaches them lessons from his "Children's Treasury of Tricks to Use Democratic Processes to Establish Socialist Dictatorships."

economic extortion from the EU


I regret very much that it has not been possible so far to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the crisis in Honduras. Given the circumstances, I have taken the difficult decision to suspend all budget aid."

- Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Union External Relations Commissioner

"Budget aid" seems to be monies the EU gives directly to the central government to assist in covering the nation's budget. With only six months to go, I'm not sure what this means exactly for Micheletti's Interim Government. I do believe that it is unfair to punish Honduras in any form or fashion for having stood up for democracy. (Don't these people realize the absurdity of their actions?) However, I also understand that it is their money so they have the right to suspend it if that is what they have decided is in their best interest.

Photo and source: El Heraldo.

Insulza and dictatorship

This morning, Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the OAS referred to Micheletti's Interim Government as a "dictatorship."

Honduran citizen, Rafael Tristan, had this perfect response:

Insulza, I don't know what dictatorship means to you. The current president of Honduras took possession of the office according to the prevailing constitution. The president hasn't accumulated power to himself. The Congress that was elected by the people continues to function. The Supreme Court that was elected by the most transparent procedure in the history of Honduras continues to function. The armed forces are obedient not belligerent, and are acting as guarantors of our democracy.

The government is subject to laws and limits and does not control all aspects of life in the state and of its citizens. Therefore it does not resemble anything close to a dictatorship. The government does not intend to stay, and has assured the general elections will occur as scheduled. Recall that candidates for elected offices were elected within the law and with the approval of the people.

Insulza, Honduras is calm. The opposition, a minority, is allowed to demonstrate, even though they step on the desires of the rest of us. Zelaya Rosales is the one who wants violence. He says only hatred, desire for revenge, and lies about what happened in Honduras and what is happening. He wants to return to illegality (his statements confirm that he is insisting on calling the illegal constituent assembly), so he is not a solution.

Insulza, pay attention to reason and not to pressure from Chavez. Honduras is a noble country fighting for self-determination, something that is obviously a sin to the oppressors of the world.

Source: La Tribuna.

Insulza is such a Chavez stooge. Why does he not make these strong statements about Cuba and Venezuela, which are authentic dictatorships? Why did he recently spearhead the effort to invite Cuba back into the fold of the OAS? Why is this leftist hypocrite even the Secretary General of the OAS?

UnoAmerica: ousting was an impeachment

A portion of Cliff Kinkaid's Interview with Alejandro Peña Esclusa, President of UnoAmerica.

UnoAmerica recognized the new Honduran government. Who and what does UnoAmerica represent?

UnoAmerica is an Alliance of Latin-American Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), created to defend democracy and freedom, both currently in danger in our continent. We decided to recognize the new Honduran government because the ousting of President Manuel Zelaya was actually an impeachment. Zelaya wanted to change the Constitution, without the approval of the Supreme Court and the Congress, in order to stay illegally in power. As in all democratic governments, there are three branches of power in Honduras. In this case, the Executive wanted to stage a coup against the Constitution, and the other two powers (Legislative and Judiciary) did not let that happen. It is very simple.

Why is the world allied against the new government?

In part, because of disinformation, and in part, because Hugo Chavez and his allies have been conducting a black propaganda operation against the new government, in order to defend their friend Zelaya. Unfortunately, some authorities in the U.S. have fallen for that version, without really knowing what went on.

Why is Obama siding with Chavez and Castro on this matter?

I believe that, on the one hand, Obama is beginning to show his socialist tendencies, which were denounced during the American presidential campaign. On the other hand, Obama is letting himself be influenced by several presidents of Latin America, particularly Lula of Brazil, who is the real power behind the São Paulo Forum.

Can Honduras be saved from Chavez?

I think it can, but it requires the participation of all citizens, not only of Latin America, but of the U.S. as well. Honduras is facing tremendous pressures, and will not be able to bear them without the help of the world public opinion. Every article, every interview, in favor of the Honduran democracy helps to defend their institutions against Chavez's assault.

What has happened to the Organization of American States?

Unfortunately, 15 presidents of Latin America belong to the São Paulo Forum*, and seven other governments (especially from the Caribbean islands, who are dependent on Chavez's oil shipments) do as well. We could say, then, that 22 of 34 of the votes in the OAS are controlled by Chavez. José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the OAS, himself belongs to the Chilean Socialist Party, which is a member of the São Paulo Forum.

Entire interview here.

*the Sao Paulo Forum "is a coalition of communist and leftist parties and terrorist movements in Latin America."

double democratic standard

The effort to defend a democratically elected president has no precedent in the region. [...] I've never seen anything like it in Latin America. [...] It has been remarkable seeing the various Latin American presidents traveling around the continent expressing their support for the deposed president of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya.
...and...
The greatest act of cynicism was played out when dictator Raul Castro, also in Managua, demanded the return of democracy to Honduras, while neither he nor his brother Fidel were ever elected to rule the island in free, multiparty elections. Raul, in other words, wants democracy for Honduras but not for Cuba.
...and...
Chavez himself admitted at a press conference last Friday that he fooled Venezuelans in the 1998 elections. "I was a candidate (simply) to call for Constitutional reform," he said, with a cynical smile. This means that even then he was planning to perpetuate himself in power, but never said so. He pretended to be a democrat. Today we know he is not.
...and...
That the restoration of democracy be urgent in one country, and not in another, is not logical. What excuse does the OAS have for demanding democracy in Honduras while forgetting about Venezuela and Cuba?

- Excellent column by Univision's Jorge Ramos.

quotable quote

How much must Mel hate the country to have embarked on this course and then ask for blood to enable his return and the continuation of his process? Or, to put in a more cynical way, how much must Mel owe Hugo Chavez, Rafael Correa and Daniel Ortega to be willing to pay the bill with Honduran blood?

- Jorge B., Honduran citizen

have the flights stopped?


Honduran daily La Prensa wrote recently that "in the first six months of this year, 14 planes, most with Venezuelan registration, entered Honduras. Some of them were incinerated after releasing thousands of kilos of cocaine or suspected packages of dollars."

For the last three weeks there have been no more reports of these aircraft.

Today, the Union of Democratic Organizations of America, UnoAmérica, issued a statement warning the government of the United States, the U.S. ambassador in Honduras, Hugo Llorens, and the president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, that their insistence on the return of the Zelaya power would further the interests of drug trafficking in the region.

According UnoAmérica, Zelaya not only attempted to sack the Honduran Constitution, the reason for which he was lawfully ousted, but during his tenure, Honduras was becoming a narco-state. "It is no coincidence that Zelaya has promoted the advancement of drug trafficking, because all the other members of the ALBA have done so," says the UnoAmérica communique.

Source: La Prensa.

playing with fire

On July 5, Mr. Zelaya boarded a plane manned by a Venezuelan crew bound for Tegucigalpa, knowing full well that he would not be allowed to land. It didn't matter. His intention was to incite a mob on the ground and force a confrontation between his supporters and the military. It worked. One person was killed in clashes near the airport.

Yet the tragedy did not produce the desired condemnation of the Micheletti government. Rather, it empowered Honduran patriots. Perhaps this is because the airport violence reinforced the claim that Mr. Zelaya is a threat to the peace.

He was not the only one to lose credibility that day. OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza had encouraged the fly-over stunt despite its obvious risks. He even traveled in a separate plane behind Mr. Zelaya to show support. The incident destroyed any possibility that Mr. Insulza could be considered an honest broker. It also proved the charge that by insisting on Mr. Zelaya's return the U.S. was playing with fire.

- Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal

absurd, ridiculous, incoherent

It is absurd and ridiculous that Zelaya comes to demand his return to the Executive based on a constitutional standard that he declared outdated and unnecessary and which [according to him] should be replaced by another text.

- Political analyst, Raúl Pineda Alvarado, who estimates that Zelaya becomes incoherent when he holds a position based on provisions of a Constitution that he wanted to destroy.

Source: El Heraldo

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Lopez Contreras: your proposal is unacceptable


I'm sorry, Mr. President [Oscar Arias], but the proposals you have submitted are unacceptable to the constitutional government of Honduras that I represent. On behalf of a small but decent people, I'm sorry, but your proposal is unacceptable, particularly its point number one*.

- Carlos Lopez Contreras, Foreign Minister of the Fierce Republic of Honduras

*Point One: the return of Manuel Zelaya to the Presidency of Honduras.

I'm feeling some fierce patriotism right now! Viva Honduras!

quotable quote

What I do want to make clear, both in Honduras and internationally, is that those that speak of "civil war" are not Honduran.

- Martha Lorena Alvarado, Deputy Foreign Minister of Honduras

unacceptable

President Roberto Micheletti has rejected the proposal of the mediator Oscar Arias as "unacceptable."

Señor Micheletti, el pueblo esta contigo!

a saddam wannabe?


Here's an interesting like nugget that just surfaced. Mel Zelaya had fiberglass statues of himself and several of Honduras' founding fathers made. The statues, with Mel in the center, sit in a garden at the Casa Presidencial.

First of all, whatever this cat is ingesting must be some of the best material Juan Valdez produces. Second, this is some twisted, Saddam Hussein-like, egomaniac shiz. Third, why does he think he looks like Burt Reynolds?!

my two babies


My baby girl, Isabel, and my baby dog, Lucky.

photo of the day


Lucy and Macho Muffin enjoy a beautiful day at Bliss Beach.

stubborn, stubborn

The deposed President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, said in an interview with a Brazilian newspaper that [if] he returns to power he will insist on the project to convene a Constituent Assembly, which was what sparked off the coup three weeks ago in this Central American country.

Source: La Tribuna

Two words: despicable attitude.

a deposed president

[The problem with the proposal is that] they want to present Zelaya as the President, but for us he is the deposed President. He is a person who has a process initiated against him by the Public Prosecutor's Office and a warrant for his arrest.

- Mauricio Villeda, negotiator for Micheletti's administration

an intention for Honduras

the article 239 dilemma

Article 239 of the Honduran Constitution states:

No citizen that has already served as head of the Executive Branch can be President or Vice-President.

Whoever violates this law or proposes its reform, as well as those that support such violation directly or indirectly, will immediately cease in their functions and will be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years.


Seems Mr. Arias is disregarding the Honduran Constitution in Point 1 of his 'Seven Points.' Manuel Zelaya has violated this article by simply proposing its reform via his illegal referendum and therefore must "immediately cease in [his] functions and be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years." Plus, he's already held the title of President of the Republic and was subsequently replaced by Congress for violating the Constitution, therefore, he cannot again hold the title. It couldn't be any clearer.

If Arias is going to ignore the Honduran Constitution, I have to really question his ability to be a mediator. If the precedent is set that our Constitution "doesn't matter," what's going to stop Manuel Zelaya and Hugo Chavez from simply rolling it into a ball and throwing into the nearest wastebasket the next chance they get? Who, the OAS? Please. Don't Insulza insult us.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Arias' 7 points

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias drafted a document with the seven points he thinks will help resolve the political crisis in Honduras.
  • First: the "foundation for reconciliation" according to Arias is the return of former President Manuel Zelaya.
  • Second: the formation of a unity and reconciliation government composed of representatives from all the different political parties.
  • Third: a general amnesty for all political crimes committed during the conflict, before and after June 28.
  • Fourth: Zelaya's must abandon his plan to place a "fourth urn" in the next election.
  • Fifth: moving the general elections from November 29 to the last Sunday in October. Also moving the beginning of electoral campaigning to the first days of September.
  • Sixth: the transfer of command of the Armed Forces from the Executive to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal a month before the elections to ensure the transparency and normalcy of the vote.
  • Seventh: integration of a verification commission composed of notable Hondurans, members of international organizations, particularly representatives of the Organization of American States to monitor compliance with the agreement and to oversee the proper return of constitutional order.

quote of the day


Impossible. The reinstatement of Zelaya, as we have maintained and now repeat, is not negotiable ... there is no possibility of him returning to Honduras as president.

- Assistant Foreign Minister, Martha Lorena Alvarado, when asked about the idea of having Zelaya return to Honduras as president with a reconciliation government made up of representatives from all political parties.

Love her blunt style!

Source: AP

heroes of June 28: Morales

We are not going to, on any point, make any agreement without respect for our institutions and respect for the Constitution.


Well spoken, Ms. Morales. If the Constitution is ripped even a little bit, it will very likely completely unravel. That's playing right into the hands of Mel Zelaya and Hugo Chavez, who want nothing more than for our current Constitution to be destroyed.

By the way, why should we trust Zelaya to respect any negotiated agreement when he wouldn't respect our Constitution? Think about that.

peace


Beautiful yellow flowers blossoming this morning on the main deck.

quotable quote

Force was the source of this problem, and it will never be the solution.

- Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica

I totally agree with Mr. Arias. Had Zelaya not attempted to push through his illegal referendum to change the Honduran Constitution by force, this whole situation would not have happened. His arrogant insistence on having things his way, despite what the Constitution and laws of the country set forth, is the origin of the problem. Zelaya's disregard for the rule of law forced the events of June 28, to the detriment of the Honduran people. This immensely selfish man is not worthy of the Presidency of Honduras. He's not worthy of the noble people of this country.

San Jose dialogue continues today


Photo courtesy of El Heraldo
Talks aimed at finding a solution to the Political crisis in Honduras continue today in San Jose, Costa Rica. Foreign Minister Carlos Lopez Contreras said that Micheletti's Interim Government will propose a "creative" solution in today's negotiations. The San Jose talks have the backing of the U.S. Department of State.

Friday, July 17, 2009

peace


The Zen Path, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

young Mel

"My followers should practice what I always preached: Non-Violence"

- Manuel Zelaya
(July 5, 2009)

People never change, do they?

palmerola


The Soto Cano Air Base (a.k.a "Palmerola") is a joint U.S. and Honduras military base located in the central Honduran valley of Comayagua. It is without doubt the biggest obstacle Hugo Chavez sees to his plan to "takeover" Honduras. Since the removal of Manuel Zelaya from the Honduran Presidency on June 28 for multiple violations of the Honduran Constitution, the "fantastic trio" of Chavez, Daniel Ortega, and Raul Castro have all had the audacity to call on the U.S. to "punish" Honduras by removing its troops from the base. Wouldn't that be convenient? Many Hondurans know that if it were not for the presence of American military personnel and hardware on Honduran soil, Chavez would have already mounted and executed an overt military operation in an attempt to restore his puppet Zelaya back into the Presidency.

no mention of Zelaya


Photo courtesy of La Prensa.
We support a peaceful and negotiated solution. We urge other countries to play a positive role in achieving this goal and to refrain from any action that might lead to violence."

- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a statement issued in conjunction with the foreign ministers of Mexico and Canada. Again, she diplomatically issues a warning to "other countries" (read: Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua) to not interfere.

It is interesting to note what Mrs. Clinton did not say: She did not call for Manuel Zelaya to be returned to power. In fact, she didn't even mention Zelaya's name. Seems the world now understands that Zelaya is a Chavez stooge who is, in fact, a danger to true democracy.

Source: La Prensa.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

peace


Lucky and foxy chill in the new trellis tunnel on the Walking and Exercise trail.

Bliss Beach Corona ad


The San Salvador ad agency that used Bliss Beach as a photo shoot location a few months back sent us a copy of the billboard art that resulted from their work here at Paya. Looks pretty chill to me!


UPDATE: My friend Susie saw my Corona post and sent me her amateur Barena version of this ad. (Barena is a Honduran brew). Slightly different weather conditions, a lot less photoshop, but still the same concept. She noted "Beer: Barena w/lime; Book: The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God by Carl Sagan; Beach: Paya Bay, Roatan, Honduras."

Thanks, Ms. S!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

falling on deaf ears


The question is "Do you think Hondurans should continue heeding Mel's calls for insurrection?" No, Si (Yes).
Source: La Tribuna

Ms. Bachelet calls for "prudence"


In response to Manuel Zelaya's call for an "insurrection" in Honduras by his followers to force his return, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, a heavy-weight among Latin American leaders, immediately called for "prudence." Her response was so swift and so strongly voiced that it could be interpreted as a rebuke to Zelaya for calling for more violence in Honduras.

The fact that this egomaniac Zelaya would want more strife and violence in his home country speaks volumes of how little he truly cares for the Honduran people.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

peace


Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

quotable quote

The Honduran constitution is written the way it is deliberately. It seeks to avoid the possibility of so called Presidents For Life, like Chavez had made himself - like Hilter made himself (who was first elected democratically). Obama says since Zelaya was elected he should remain president. Using Obama's logic we could never have impeached Nixon. He was elected democratically, too. Trouble was, he broke the law. Same as Zelaya, who is breaking the law trying to install himself as President For Life. Conservatives are right in supporting the Honduran Supreme Court, Honduran Congress and Honduran Military in putting a stop to that, in accordance with the Honduran constitution. To do otherwise is to put Honduras on the path to ending democratic rule.

- Feedback to this article: Honduras and Constitutional Democracy

curfew lifted, life returning to normal

The interim government in Honduras says it has lifted the curfew that had been in place since the June 28 coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. The official statement, broadcast on radio and television, said the curfew was lifted across the country Sunday. It said the curfew had helped restore calm.

Source: VOA News

The government had slowly been loosening the curfew. Right before it was canceled, the restriction on free movement was only from 11PM to 4AM.

peace


Buccaneer Landing, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Zelaya unlikely to be returned to power

...Reality has sunk in and [Manuel] Zelaya, an unpopular, vainglorious and anti-U.S. leader, is unlikely to be returned to power. Not only does Honduras' constitution forbid it, but Hondurans don't want it, and time is running out.

- Investor's Business Daily

video: defending our democracy


The subtitles at the beginning of the video read: These... are not Hondurans... and if they are... they are not doing what real Hondurans... want... Enough!!! Here are the real Hondurans... and we want peace and to live in a democracy.

rule of law triumphed over lawlessness

Zelaya was removed from office for his unconstitutional and illegal attempts to alter the constitution of Honduras for purely selfish reasons.

- Chris Smith, United States Representative (R, New Jersey)

The claim that the events that led to Zelaya's ouster constituted a coup "melts under any serious scrutiny," Smith added. "Rather, democracy and the rule of law triumphed over Mr Zelaya's lawlessness."

Source: breitbart.com

Saturday, July 11, 2009

computer virus

Chavez is like a computer virus that wants to spread all through the Americas.

- Lucy, Virtual Diva

bliss beach [update]


The plunge pool that is part of the Bliss Beach bar project was advanced significantly in the past few weeks. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

peace


Bliss Beach, Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras

quotable quote

Manuel Zelaya's record on quashing freedom looked like it was ripped from Hugo Chavez's playbook. Zelaya trampled the Honduran Constitution, pushing for an illegal referendum to allow him to rule indefinitely.

- Connie Mack, United States Representative (Florida)

Rep. Mack, a Republican, has introduced a resolution to condemn Manuel Zelaya in the U.S. House of Representatives.

ouster of Zelaya was a legal act

Zelaya is the type of leader who could cause a country to wish for a Richard Nixon. Earlier this year, with only a few months left in his term, he ordered a referendum on whether a new constitutional convention should convene to write a wholly new constitution. Because the only conceivable motive for such a convention would be to amend the un-amendable parts of the existing constitution, it was easy to conclude -- as virtually everyone in Honduras did -- that this was nothing but a backdoor effort to change the rules governing presidential succession. Not unlike what Zelaya's close ally, Hugo Chavez, had done in Venezuela.
... and ...
That was the breaking point for the attorney general, who immediately sought a warrant from the Supreme Court for Zelaya's arrest on charges of treason, abuse of authority and other crimes. In response, the court ordered Zelaya's arrest by the country's army, which under Article 272 must enforce compliance with the Constitution, particularly with respect to presidential succession. The military executed the court's order on the morning of the proposed survey.
... and ...
It cannot be right to call this a ''coup.'' Micheletti was lawfully made president by the country's elected Congress. The president is a civilian. The Honduran Congress and courts continue to function as before. The armed forces are under civilian control. The elections scheduled for November are still scheduled for November. Indeed, after reviewing the Constitution and consulting with the Supreme Court, the Congress and the electoral tribunal, respected Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga recently stated that the only possible conclusion is that Zelaya had lawfully been ousted under Article 239 before he was arrested, and that democracy in Honduras continues fully to operate in accordance with law.

- Miguel Estrada, partner at the Washington, D.C., office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. A native of Honduras, he was a member of the official U.S. delegation to President Zelaya's 2006 inauguration.

"Injured by bites. Desperation in the people."


Photo courtesy of El Heraldo

Did an AP photographer inadvertently capture Hugo Chavez's plan to incite a massacre in Tegucigalpa on July 5, 2009? The photographer took the photo above in Chavez's office in Ciudad Bolivar (Venezuela) that day. This was the day Manuel Zelaya attempted his infamous return to Tegucigalpa to "reclaim the presidency" aboard a Chavez jet. The writing on the lower corner of the whiteboard behind him translates thus: "051345JUL09 Swarm of African bees. Presidential podium. Injured by bites. Desperation in the people."

According to political and military analyst Mario Berríos, that message contains the military operation to be carried out in Tegucigalpa the afternoon of Sunday, 5 July, that was directed and coordinated by ex-military Hugo Chavez.

The numbers are the military format group-date-time. The "Swarm of African bees" are the rioters who had been ordered to agglomerate near the airport's landing field and, when given the order, would proceed to invade the field to receive Manuel Zelaya.

In military terms this is called a "Presidential podium", that is, Zelaya being put back in power by a civilian force.

Berríos found the words "Injured by bites. Desperation in the people." very troubling. He thinks the objective of the military operation commanded by Chavez, was to cause a massacre, desperation of the people, and, in turn, create chaos and anarchy.

Source: El Heraldo [English translation]

Evil. Repugnant. Sick.

quotable quote

[Zelaya's] got very little on his side except for these demonstrators, which number in the single thousands. You can't govern with just rioters in the streets. He needs the institutions of government -- all of which have turned against him.

- Otto Reich, former Assistant Secretary of State

medicine

The Honduran Supreme Court, as it is empowered to do under the constitution, ordered the army to arrest Zelaya after he began to carry out a referendum for a constitutional convention that the court, Congress and his own attorney general said was illegal. Yet, many Latin American and European governments still call it a "military coup" or, as the Associated Press called it several days afterward, a "military power grab." Clinton and Obama dropped calling it a coup.

There are gray areas having to do with presidential powers and the fact that the Honduran constitution prohibits extradition of citizens. The army exiled Zelaya in consultation with civilian leaders to avoid precisely the sort of violence seen when Zelaya tried to return. He forced the country and its institutions against the wall, and for that he should take his medicine.

- Edward Schumacher-Matos, Washington Post