On May 28, former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya returned home nearly two years after the June 2009 actions that removed him from office for violations of the national constitution. Accompanied by Venezuela’s foreign minister Nicholas Maduro and delivered via Air Hugo Chavez, Zelaya was greeted by thousands of cheering admirers. He returned under a deal struck with current Honduran President Porfirio Lobo on May 22. The agreement was brokered with the assistance of the unlikely combination of democratic Colombia and authoritarian Venezuela, and it enjoys the blessing of U.S. Secretary …
Diplomats have often been disparaged as honest men sent abroad to lie for the good of their countries. If the plethora of disloyal, dangerous attacks launched by WikiLeaks continues and if the Obama Administration cannot stanch the bleeding, foreign officials and U.S. diplomats will soon find it just as likely that they must also lie to Washington. WikiLeaks promises to release thousands of cables from U.S. embassies in the Americas, although only a few cables appear noteworthy. They reflect the states of mind of some members of our diplomatic corps, …
On June 28, 2009, Latin America’s populist authoritarian movement led by Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez suffered a major setback. Vigilant Hondurans defended their representative institutions and Constitution by removing Manuel Zelaya from power. They did so after Zelaya attempted to alter Honduras’ strict, one-term limit on executive power and adopt the “Chavez method of destroying democratic institutions using street mobs.” The removal of Zelaya created a firestorm of diplomatic controversy. The Organization of American States (OAS) condemned Zelaya’s removal and expelled Honduras for defending its constitution. The Obama Administration first …
On November 29 the people of Honduras decided on the man – Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo – to lead their nation for the next four years. Hondurans voted for a break from the past and an escape from the turmoil that has enmeshed their country since June 28 when Manuel Zelaya was removed from the presidency. On December 2, the national Congress – the body that voted for Zelaya’s removal – must decide on the future of its former president, now residing in asylum in the Brazilian embassy a few blocks …
Heritage’s Izzy Ortega issues his final report on yesterday’s election from Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital. More than 60% of all eligible voters made their voices heard loud and clear in electing former congressman Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo. A Bolivian member of parliament was also observing the election and nicely summed things up: “They tried to build a Berlin Wall and Honduras tore it down.” [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D34PFwmX74[/youtube]
After casting her ballot for former Vice President Elvin Santos of the ruling Liberal Party in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Sunday, Erika Rodriguez told the Miami Herald: “I don’t even care who wins. This is the first time you are going to see all Hondurans celebrating — anybody’s victory.” So despite the fact that her candidate lost to cattle rancher and former congressman Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo, Rodriguez joined millions of other Hondurans last night to celebrate a peaceful and successful democratic election. The turmoil in Honduras began this summer when then-President Manuel …
Heritage’s Izzy Ortega has been in Honduras this week as part of the corps of impartial international observers documenting the presidential election today in Honduras. Reporting from Tegucigalpa, Izzy reports he has seen long lines and high turnout all day. Watch:
Today the Honduran people are voting in an historic election with consequences for the entire region. Heritage’s Izzy Ortega is on the ground as an official election observer speaking with Hondurans practicing their right to vote. Watch his first interview below:
As Hondurans head to the polls tomorrow, November 29th, in an historic election with consequences for the entire region, Heritage’s Izzy Ortega is on the ground as an official election observer. Follow his updates on Twitter (twitter.com/izzyortega) and watch his first video update below: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qXV9QikQAQ[/youtube]
On November 29 the people of Honduras will vote for a new president and legislature to govern their country over the next four years. The elections are now the only fair and democratic way to heal the crisis begun well before the June 28th removal of President Manuel Zelaya. Former president Zelaya, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, the Organization of American States, and many liberals in the U.S. are banking on a low, indifferent turnout. They want to prove that a climate of repression, fear, and the lack of political options is …
