Honduran Leader's Populism Is What Provoked Military Violence

By Benjamin Dangl, AlterNet. Posted July 1, 2009.

The Regional Response

The Organization of American States and the United Nations have condemned the coup. Outrage at the coup has been expressed by major leaders across the globe, and all over Latin America, as reported by Reuters: the presidents of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and Cuba have been outspoken in their protests against the coup. The French Foreign Ministry said, "France firmly condemns the coup that has just taken place in Honduras." Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said, "I'm deeply worried about the situation in Honduras ... it reminds us of the worst years in Latin America's history."

Even Augusto Ramírez Ocampo, a former foreign minister of Colombia told the New York Times, "It is a legal obligation to defend democracy in Honduras."

Zelaya has announced a trip to the U.S. to speak before the United Nations. He also stated that he will return to Honduras on Thursday, accompanied by Jose Miguel Insulza, the head of the Organization of American States. "I will fulfill my four-year mandate [as president], whether you, the coup-plotters, like it or not," Zelaya said.

Only time will tell what the international and national support for Zelaya means for Honduras. Regional support for Bolivian President Evo Morales during an attempted coup in 2008 empowered his fight against right-wing destabilizing forces. Popular support in the streets proved vital during the attempted coup against Venezuela's Chavez in 2002.

Meanwhile, Zelaya supporters continue to convene at the government palace, yelling at the soldiers while tanks roam the streets.

"We’re defending our president," protester Umberto Guebara told a New York Times reporter. "I’m not afraid. I’d give my life for my country."

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Taking Action:

If you are interested in rallying in support for the Honduran people and against the coup, here is a list of Honduran embassies and consulates in the U.S.

People in the U.S. could call political representatives to denounce the coup, and demand the U.S. cut off all aid to the rogue government until Zelaya is back in power. Click here to send a message to Obama about the coup.

Also see: Take Action: Stand in Solidarity with the People of Honduras

Visit School of the Americas Watch for more photos and suggested actions.

See more stories tagged with: obama, coup, honduras, zelaya

Benjamin Dangl is the author of The Price of Fire: Resource Wars and Social Movements in Bolivia (AK Press, 2007). He is also the editor of Toward Freedom, a progressive perspective on world events, and Upside Down World, a news Web site uncovering activism and politics in Latin America. E-mail him at BenDangl@gmail.com.

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