John Kerry congratulates newly-elected president of Honduras, pledges support

[Enrique]

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I extend my warm congratulations to Juan Orlando Hernandez on his election as President of the Republic of Honduras.

The Honduran people turned out in record numbers to vote on November 24, and we commend the Honduran government for ensuring that the election process was generally transparent, peaceful, and reflected the will of the Honduran people.

Honduras’ newly elected leaders have committed to address the country’s most pressing challenges, including promoting fiscal stability and economic growth, combating poverty, and guaranteeing security, justice, and human rights for all Hondurans.

The United States will continue its support for these efforts and looks forward to deepening our cooperation throughout the region.


Read more: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2013/12/20131212288841.html#ixzz2nJFhWjTv

[pdalthouse]

1. Kerry congratulates self-elected leader of Honduras

I was part of a delegation from the National Lawyers Guild who observed the elections. We met with US Ambassador Kubiske and her staff, Honduran government officials, and representatives of civil society groups during our visit. We are in the process of preparing a report of our observations that should be released next month. Kerry has given an unqualified nod to Juan Orlando Hernandez as Honduras' President-elect despite evidence of widespread election fraud and the fact that the two major opposition parties have called for a recount of votes. Hernandez proclaimed himself the winner before the majority of the ballots had been counted. State craft at its best. The electoral mechanism in the country is dominated by the political party that backed Hernandez. It is the same party that orchestrated the 2009 coup and is linked to a wave of politically-motivated assassinations of campesino and indigenous activists, teachers, lawyers, and journalists in advance of the November elections. At least 20 LIBRE party activists had been murdered in the year prior to the elections --two on the eve of the elections on their way back to Tegucigalpa--and the killings continue. But there has not been any public expression of concern by Kerry or Ambassador Kubiske. Not surprisingly, civil society groups in Honduras who tend to align themselves with LIBRE perceive little traction with the State Department when it comes to what it does to protect their human rights. Some groups -including North American solidarity groups-so distrust the State Department that they report suspected human rights abuses to COFADEH, a human rights NGO in Tegucigalpa that might otherwise be reported to the US Embassy. Of course, certain planks of in the center-left LIBRE party presidential campaign platform were outside the comfort zone of US foreign policy for Honduras and the LIBRE which makes it easier for Kerry to give Hernandez his seal of approval.

[TBF]

2. Nice to hear from an independent source -

I hope you'll post your report when completed. Welcome to DU

[Coyotl]

3. Praise be to the right-wing cocaine overlords for taking over a small country with US support.

Why is what Reagan could not accomplish in the 80s is so easy today?

[ProSense]

4. Carter Center Statement on Honduras Elections

Carter Center Statement on Honduras Elections

(En español)

At the invitation of the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal, The Carter Center sent a high-level delegation to the country's Nov. 24 electoral process. The delegation was led by two members of the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, former Presidents Carlos Mesa of Bolivia and Martin Torrijos of Panama, and Dr. Jennifer McCoy, director of the Americas Program at The Carter Center.

The presence of the delegation did not constitute an electoral observation mission, but was rather an expression of the international community's high interest in the democratic process in Honduras.

The delegation thanks the Supreme Electoral Tribunal for the invitation and congratulates the people of Honduras for their peaceful and enthusiastic participation in the elections. It recognizes the effort of the Tribunal, the political parties, and the numerous national and international organizations that have supported the process and contributed to more inclusive and transparent elections than in the past. At the same time, the delegation recommends that Honduras consider electoral reforms to build on this experience.

Civic responsibility was respected and was evidenced by an increased level of voter participation. The historical importance of these elections was reflected in the formation of new political parties, which received important popular support.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is updating continuously the results of the presidential race. Vote tallying continues. A number of parties have questioned one or more aspects of the process. The delegation believes that it is very important that the parties make their complaints known to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in accordance with the procedures established by electoral law. It trusts that the Tribunal will resolve these challenges based on the established norms. It encourages all of the actors in the process to continue to work together to resolve electoral disputes in a peaceful and expedient manner for the good of the Honduran people and the newly elected officials.

The Carter Center offers its support and collaboration to the people of Honduras to continue the strengthening of their political and electoral institutions. The Center will follow closely this process, which exemplifies the civic spirit of the people of Honduras.

https://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/honduras-112613.html

[alarimer]

5. The US gave tacit approval to the coup in the first place

So this is not a legitimate election at all.

In any case, anyone the US supports is suspect in my mind anyway, because of history.

I'm sure this guy is a corporatists through and through, and probably supports our "war on drugs" despite the illegal nature of many of the law enforcement activities.

[politichew]

6. It's called diplomacy.

But let's criticize Secretary Kerry for doing what's in his job description.

[tkmorris]

7. Oh bullshit.

Do you remember Kerry congratulating Venezuela for the fairness and openness of their elections as well? No? There's a reason for that, and it ain't "diplomacy".