SLIDESHOW: Inside the World’s Newest Police State

[Judi Lynn]

January 9, 2010
SLIDESHOW: Inside the World’s Newest Police State

Photos of Honduras in crisis, all taken since President Mel Zelaya was ousted from power by a military coup last June.
By Jeremy Kryt

Photos of Honduras in crisis, all taken since President Mel Zelaya was ousted from power by a military coup last June.
By Jeremy Kryt

TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS—It’s the worst political and humanitarian crisis to hit Central America since the terrible wars of the 1980s, and it doesn’t seem likely to go away any time soon.

The coup that deposed President Mel Zelaya last June ignited a firestorm of nonviolent but determined resistance, but the business-military junta—under the leadership of de facto president Roberto Micheletti—reacted to the peaceful marches and demonstrations by cracking down hard on protesters. More than 3,000 people have been detained, and hundreds more have been beaten, with many requiring hospitalization for their wounds. At least 28 members of the resistance have been killed by soldiers, police, or political assassins during the last five months.

Zelaya’s term will officially end on January 27. His successor, Porfirio Lobo, is widely seen as having cooperated with the coup. The turnout for an election in late November was the lowest in the Honduras’ history, and the coup government was caught in the act of fixing the numbers. Meanwhile, Zelaya remains trapped in the Brazilian embassy, allowed to leave the country safely only if he first renounces the presidency.

In the weeks since the election, the human rights situation has deteriorated. Shooting and killings are becoming increasingly common in the streets, as the coup government’s harsh policies have led to a troubling rise in poverty and violent crime. And last month, the regime itself was accused of torturing and murdering two resistance activists.

More:
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/5385/slideshow_inside_the_worlds_newest_police_state/

[madrchsod]

1. obama has endorsed the coup.

when it comes right down to it..he does what he is told

[HughMoran]

2. He did?

Can you provide some direct quotes whereby Obama endorsed the coup?

[Judi Lynn]

3. It would be a good idea to start keeping up with the information discussed here

as those of us who are interested in knowing about it do.

Don't expect people to summarize the material we've all been dealing with for MONTHS.

Do it yourself.

[HughMoran]

5. I was all over this discussion when the coup was happening. So, please answer

because I asked the same question at the time and received nothing even remotely satisfactory for an answer.

Do NOT make claims that cannot be proven unless you have back up for your claim.

Now, as I've asked all along during the debate as it happened (you can search if YOU want to), what proof is there that Obama supported the coup?

[bhikkhu]

4. "Obama tried to stop Honduras Coup"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/29/obama-tried-to-stop-hondu_n_222140.html

That's a pretty good article.

[HughMoran]

6. Thanks for the link

I knew he was against the coup all along - how can people claim the opposite?

[bhikkhu]

7. On the other hand, there are plenty of complications...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/01/opinion/main5127771.shtml

I actually think this is a better article, and goes deeper into some of the Honduran politics. If anything, I think without good information its better to stick to the sidelines. This passage stands out:

"Not one informed Honduran - including members of the media - has opposed Manuel Zelaya’s removal from office. While many regretted the need to do so, all said the move was both legal and necessary, a position supported by Honduran attorney general Luis Alberto Rubí, who had threatened to prosecute Zelaya if he actually held some form of referendum."

I suspect the whole article is substantially biased, but not necessarily false...it just makes me think that barring atrocities we should definitely think before we act, when it comes to the politics of other countries.

[carla]

8. His Sec/State, Hillary Clinton

certainly seemed to support the coup, ergo Obama, the pres. is tacitly supporting the golpistas. Dissimulation is not appreciated. Public statements by Obama are lies, as surely as his support for the coup is tangibly real.