Friday, January 14, 2011

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!

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