Arrest warrants issued for Honduran military high command

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN

Arrest warrants issued for Honduran military high command
January 6, 2010 9:07 p.m. EST

(CNN) -- Honduran prosecutors on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for the country's six top military commanders for abuse of power in connection with the June 28, 2009, coup that ousted President Jose Manuel Zelaya.

The Honduran high command, including Gen. Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, the country's top military chief, face charges for bursting into Zelaya's residence and transporting the president to neighboring Costa Rica, Attorney General Luis Rubi said.

The action deepened a political crisis that remains unresolved, despite a new president being elected in November.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/06/honduras.political.turmoil/index.html

---

Honduras Prosecutor Requests Arrest of Army Chief, EFE Says
By Andres R. Martinez

Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- A Honduran prosecutor asked the Central American nation’s Supreme Court to issue an arrest warrant for the head of the army in connection with the exile of former President Manuel Zelaya, EFE reported.

Federal prosecutor Henry Salgado filed a request seeking arrest warrants for General Romeo Vazquez and five members of his staff, the Spanish news agency said. The six are being investigated for abusing authority and unlawful expatriation, according to the report.

Vazquez said he was unaware of the request, EFE reported, citing local media.

Zelaya was removed from office June 28 and the military flew him to Costa Rica that day. The former president re-entered the country Sept. 21 and has been staying at the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa since then.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aHJlieMBm3LM

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Honduras military chiefs charged with 'abuse of power'
January 7, 2010 - 1:54PM

Honduras' attorney general charged the country's top military chiefs with "abuse of power" for a coup that ousted president Manuel Zelaya, a Supreme Court spokesman told AFP.

"They are various commanders, and the crimes are abuse of power," said Danilo Izaguirre, adding that the court had three days to respond to the charges filed by Attorney General Luis Rubi.

Armed forces chief of staff General Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, Air Force chief Venancio Cervantes and Navy chief Luis Javier Prince were among those accused over the arrest and expulsion of Zelaya to Costa Rica on June 28.

An army spokesman told local radio America that Vasquez had called on military lawyers to take on the case.

Rights groups had called on the country's legal institutions to denounce the military for their involvement in the coup and heavy-handed clampdowns on protests by Zelaya supporters in its aftermath.

More:
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/honduras-military-chiefs-charged-with-abuse-of-power-20100107-lvw8.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. De facto president objects to US request he leave

De facto president objects to US request he leave

Wednesday, January 6, 2010; 4:05 PM

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- De facto president Roberto Micheletti responded harshly Wednesday to U.S. suggestions that he resign weeks before a new president takes office on Jan 27.

Micheletti has been serving as president since a June coup deposed his long-time political rival President Manuel Zelaya, who later took refuge in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa and remains there.

"The U.S. wants me to withdraw on Jan. 15," said Micheletti, calling U.S. diplomacy erratic. "Washington should respect the sovereign decisions of our people."

U.S. State Department diplomat Craig Kelly is currently in Honduras attempting to reunite leaders in the bitterly divided Central American nation.

Micheletti's interim government has said Zelaya faces arrest on various charges if he leaves the embassy under any terms other than an asylum arrangement in another country. President-elect Porfirio Lobo has hinted that he will be more conciliatory.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010603315.html

[L. Coyote]

30. Previous LATEST thread: Zelaya rejects Mexico asylum offer

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4179573&mesg_id=4179573

This thread links back, LATEST post by post, to lots of previous news.

[Judi Lynn]

2. US offered aid to step down: Micheletti

US offered aid to step down: Micheletti
January 7, 2010 - 7:39AM


Honduras' de facto leader Roberto Micheletti accused the United States of offering "millions of dollars in aid" to Honduras if he steps down, in a television interview on Wednesday cited by print media here.

Micheletti's comments came during a two-day visit to Honduras by the second highest US diplomat for Latin America, Craig Kelly, who sought to help resolve the deep crisis set off by a June 28 coup.

"The United States wants me to withdraw on January 15 with the promise to grant many millions of dollars in aid to Honduras," said the de facto leader, who took over power after the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya, in comments on Canal 5 television, cited by local press.

The United States, along with the European Union and international organisations, froze millions of dollars of much-needed aid to Honduras after the military-backed coup.

More:
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/us-offered-aid-to-step-down-micheletti-20100107-luq8.html

[Judi Lynn]

3. Honduran president-elect backs U.S. in having Micheletti pack his bags

Honduran president-elect backs U.S. in having Micheletti pack his bags
2010-01-07 09:50:55

TEGUCIGALPA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- When the Honduran president-elect does his house-cleaning before taking office, what he needs is probably more than just a victory in a constitutional election.

Already, Porfirio Lobo Sosa has backed the United States to add momentum to the run-up to his inauguration, which is scheduled for Jan. 27 by the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord.

U.S. diplomats helped to ink the accord that started to break the political impasse which almost brought the country a standstill since the June 28 coup last year.

During his interview with local Radio America, the president-elect quoted a U.S. State Department spokesman as saying that it is prudent for post-coup de facto leader Roberto Micheletti to leave now.

Craig Kelly was quoted as saying that his government is aware that there is not enough time, and that is why it thinks it is prudent that Micheletti leave his charge.

But the de facto leader seems neither ready to leave the scene nor interested in attending the swearing-in of Lobo Sosa.

"The National Congress (of Honduras) appointed me till Jan. 27,and I am not going to change because someone wants to push me," Micheletti said.

"The National Congress (of Honduras) appointed me till Jan. 27,and I am not going to change because someone wants to push me," Micheletti said.

More:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/07/content_12769232.htm

[Judi Lynn]

4. U.S. presses for truth commission on Honduras crisis

Wednesday January 6, 2010
U.S. presses for truth commission on Honduras crisis

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - The United States urged Honduras on Tuesday to form a unity government and establish a truth commission to investigate the country's June coup, suggesting that U.S. aid may hinge on these conditions.

Washington recognized the results of a November presidential election in the Central American nation over the objections of other regional governments but has said the vote itself is not enough to resolve the region's worst political crisis in decades.

"We have some decisions to make, in terms of the nature of our relationship, the nature of assistance in the future," U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.

Craig Kelly, a senior U.S. diplomat, is visiting Honduras this week to urge Honduras' president-elect Porfirio Lobo and ousted President Manuel Zelaya, who was toppled by an army-backed coup on June 28, to seek an end to the country's deep political divide.

More:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/6/worldupdates/2010-01-06T084025Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-451769-1&sec=Worldupdates

[varelse]

5. Am I the only person who was caught off guard by this news?

Thanks for reporting it here.

[braytonio]

17. Gobsmacked

Me, too. I am gobsmacked -- and cautiously optimistic, and taking back some of the uncharitable thoughts I had about Hillary. Interesting to watch this story from Brazil, whose major media is unbelievably biased. I imagine none of them will point to this as a quiet victory for Brazilian diplomacy, but it probably is, at least in part.

[EFerrari]

23. Lula has been outstanding! And welcome to DU.

:hi:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

34. Welcome, you dirty Paulista!

Nice blog you have there! :hi:

[Peace Patriot]

6. Well, I'll be damned! That's the last thing in the world I expected. nt

[Downwinder]

7. Wonder if this means that the White House is starting to recognize "People Power." n/t

[bertman]

8. Why do I get the idea that those generals weren't acting on their own.

[YouTakeTheSkyway]

9. Interesting, thanks for posting this.

For clarification's sake, it seems as though in carrying out the Court's order that Zelaya be removed, the military overstepped its bounds in the manner in which it removed him? I'm curious as to what accepted protocol for the immediate removal of a sitting President is in Honduras, as I didn't see it laid out clearly anywhere.

[AlphaCentauri]

12. Part of the protocol is the constitution and it speak by it self

ARTICLE 3.- Nobody should obedience to a usurper government nor to those who assume functions or public jobs by the force of arms or using media or procedures that violate or unaware that this Constitution and the laws. The acts verified by such authorities are zero. people have the right to appeal to the insurrection in defense of the constitutional order.

ARTICLE 4.- The form of government is republican, democratic and representative . Is exercised by three powers: legislative, executive and judiciary, complementary and independent and without reporting relationships.

The alternation in the exercise of the Presidency of the Republic is mandatory.

The infringement of this standard constitutes the crime of treason .

[Andronex]

10. Smoke and mirrors...

and nothing more, they are trying to concoct some credibility for the newly "elected" government that is rejected by most nations.

[EFerrari]

11. Yep. Something to point to.

[A Physicist]

13. BINGO

Give that post a star.

[carla]

16. BINGO!!!

Another coat of legalistic varnish on the fading veneer of democracy.Foreign instigation, coup, fake president/Micheletti, police repression, fake elections, new fake president, false investigations, continued repression. And they expect us to buy this? The cynicism shown by these thugs is remarkable and has the exact flavor of Negropontean "diplomacy".

[bemildred]

18. Yep, dog-and-pony show, soap opera, paid programming. nt

[fascisthunter]

20. yup

[L. Coyote]

21. You mean "more smoke and same old mirrors" right?

My guess too, defuse opposition to installing a new dictator.

[Enrique]

38. which might be the right thing to do n/t

[peacetalksforall]

14. This 'history' stunk right out of the gate. Negroponte as advisor to Clinton?

Then we learned that the telecommunication co's and our military would get what they wanted under Michelletti or was it that they would get what they wanted if Zelaya wasn't there or is it that they would get a third who would be considered neutral so that the telecommunication co's and our military would get what they wanted?

Something smelled from the start and it is still smelling? It seems that someone knows what is going on - the U.S. wants Honduras? And the other Western Hemisphere countries know what is going on, but we don't?

What games are going on here?

It is all sickening. We cause something, then we fix something so we still get what we want?

In the meantime, there has been death. We helped cause deaths?

Why can't we trust any of the leaders. We are part of the audience watching our own country manipulate things. Millions of dollars to buy what?

[L. Coyote]

22. To keep the cover-up of the past intact, Reagan/Bush crimes, war crimes, more

There are a lot of war criminals running free in Latin America, and they need to maintain control to deter reforms changing that. The death squads can go to jail forever still.

[EFerrari]

24. Lots of war criminals running free up here, too.

I swear, I didn't know the planet could sustain so many of them at the same time.

[L. Coyote]

26. Excellent point. After 500 years., it seems a cultural tradition of the invaders

It is not easy to change a tradition.

[flamingdem]

15. K + R

[Judi Lynn]

19. Honduran generals face coup charges

Honduran generals face coup charges

Honduras' attorney-general has charged the country's senior military chiefs with "abuse of power" for a coup that removed Manuel Zelaya, the ousted president, according to a supreme court spokesman.

Danilo Izaguirre told the AFP news agency that the court had three days to respond to the charges.

"They are various commanders, and the crimes are abuse of power," he said.

Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, the armed forces chief of staff; Venancio Cervantes, the air force chief; and Luis Javier Prince, the navy chief, were among those accused over the arrest and expulsion of Zelaya to Costa Rica on June 28.

An army spokesman told local radio that Vasquez had called on military lawyers to take on the case.

More:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/01/2010174720841310.html

[L. Coyote]

25. NYT = President Zelaya: Charges Against Army Officers 'a Trick'

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/07/world/AP-LT-Honduras-Coup.html
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 7, 2010
Filed at 3:33 p.m. ET


TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) -- Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya said Thursday that charging military commanders with abuse of power is ''a trick'' to avoid punishing them for the June 28 coup.

Zelaya said the nation's top prosecutor is trying to avoid bringing to justice the army officers who rousted him out of his home at gunpoint and other officials who planned and ordered his ouster from the presidency.

''It's a trick from prosecutors to charge the army officers with a minor crime instead of with the grave crimes they committed,'' Zelaya said in a statement.

He said they should be charged with treason, murder and human rights violations.

...............

[totodeinhere]

27. Excuse me for being cynical, but I don't think that anything will come of this.

The generals hold the real power in that country. Do you think for even one minute that they will let this happen?

[EFerrari]

28. No. n/t

[L. Coyote]

29. ..... coup leaders charged; ...... BUT ..... amnesty likely ......

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/07/MNRR1BEP85.DTL

(01-08) 04:00 PST Mexico City - --

Six military officers involved in the ouster of Manuel Zelaya from the Honduran presidency last year were charged with abuse of power on Wednesday, but the charges are expected to be dropped as part of a deal to ease tensions in the country, officials said.

The matter will now go to the Supreme Court, which will decide whether to pursue a case against Gen. Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, the country's military chief, and five of his subordinates.

The nation's chief prosecutor, Luis Alberto Rubm, issued arrest warrants for the officers for forcing Zelaya from the country, still in his pajamas, aboard a flight to Costa Rica on June 28. The prosecutor did not question the military's decision to detain Zelaya, which had been ordered by the courts......

....................

[Judi Lynn]

31. Honduras' interim leader claims murder attempt against him

Honduras' interim leader claims murder attempt against him
2010-01-09 10:17:33

TEGUCIGALPA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Honduran interim leader Roberto Micheletti claimed, yet again, on Friday that he might face assassination after he leaves office.

A Venezuelan citizen has offered one million U.S. dollars to get him killed and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez might be behind this plot, Micheletti told a Honduran radio station.

It is not the first time that Micheletti has predicted his assassination once he leaves power. Fear of assassination has become one of the reasons for his refusal to leave office.

"Many of our officers, and of course my family, are worried about what could happen to me once I leave office," said Micheletti.

More:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/09/content_12780576.htm

http://www.avizora.com.nyud.net:8090/atajo/informes/honduras_textos/images/0030_roberto_micheletti_01.jpg

[L. Coyote]

32. Guatemala Refuses to Recognize Honduran Government

Saturday 09 January 2010 - http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2010/january/09/centam-10010904.htm
Guatemala Refuses to Recognize Honduran Government

GUATEMALA - Guatemala continues failing to recognize the government elected in Honduras, according to remarks made by vice-president Rafael Espada. However, analysts consider the official stand ambiguous.

Espada told foreign correspondents in Guatemala that no official delegation will be sent to the inauguration of new Honduran President Porfirio Lobo, scheduled for January 27 because Guatemala does not recognize the de facto government of Roberto Micheletti, who assumed power by a coup, ousting constitutional President Manuel Zelaya on June 28 last year.

Nevertheless, Espada let opened a window of possibility to recognize Lobo's term if Micheletti leaves the post because, in his opinion, if an unconstitutional hand over of power takes place, it will weaken the incoming head of State.

Espada reiterated his country's wish of a prompt return of "integrity and democracy" to Honduras.

[L. Coyote]

33. Struggle continues in Honduras

Struggle continues in Honduras
Saturday, 9 January 2010 - http://english.sol.org.tr/news/international/struggle-continues-honduras-1024


The resistance forces in Honduras declared their struggle will continue in the new year.

After the contentious elections at the end of last year, state forces prepare to take steps towards resigning from ALBA, enaction of law of amnesty for the crimes against the society during the coup period, acceleration in denationalization and decrease in the wages.

On the other hand, the struggle against the dictatorship in the country heats up. The following is the manifesto of Honduras National Resistance Front about the happenings in the new year :

“Honduras resistance started the year 2010 with the struggle against the dictatorship attempting to clean out his hands by a made up transition period in which the government would be devolved from Micheletti to Lobo. The period in question will sustain the control of the corrupt great bosses, multinational companies and oppressive military and police forces on the state.

The dictatorship plans to resign the State of Honduras from ALBA-TCP (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty). ...............

[L. Coyote]

35. Honduras top court accepts case against military over coup Agence France-PresseJanuary 11, 2010

http://www.canada.com/news/Honduras+court+accepts+case+against+military+over+coup/2429408/story.html


Honduran ousted President Manuel Zelaya's daughter Zoe, holds her baby Juan Manuel Melara Zelaya, as she walks in direction of the entrance of the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa on January 10, 2010. Zelaya remains at the embassy since past September 21 surrounded by over a hundred soldiers and policemen.

Photograph by: Orlando Sierra, AFP/Getty Images
http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.canada.com/news/Honduras+court+accepts+case+against+military+over+coup/2429408/2429399.bin

TEGUCIGALPA - Honduras's Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear an "abuse of power" case against six senior military officials, stemming from the expulsion last year of President Manuel Zelaya.

Supreme Court President Jorge Alberto Rivera has accepted the Honduras attorney general's petition to hear the case, said Juan Carlos Sanchez, head of the army's legal department.

"The issue will be discussed, and a judge will decide on the measures to take," Sanchez told HRN national radio.

Many observers however have dismissed the first move to prosecute the military since the June 28 coup as a whitewash.

The Supreme Court, Congress and many business leaders backed Zelaya's removal ...................

[Judi Lynn]

36. Zoe Zelaya has been very strong standing by her parents. This is a lovely photo

you've posted. I hope she is treated with respect no matter how much the fascist coup leaders hate them all for not putting the wealthy racist right-wingers first.


http://nimg.sulekha.com.nyud.net:8090/Others/original700/manuel-zelaya-irene-melara-xiomara-castro-de-zelaya-zoe-zelaya-2009-10-18-17-10-22.jpg

Zoe's daughter embraces her grandmother as Zoe visits with her and President Zelaya at the Brazilian embassy.

http://www.annalisamelandri.it.nyud.net:8090/public/Zoe%20Zelaya%20Castro.jpg http://cache.daylife.com.nyud.net:8090/imageserve/03zr9Q1cMmday/x160.jpg

http://rubenescobarerazo.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net:8090/2009/04/mel-shakira-f1-31-10-081.jpg

Daughter "Pichu" Zelaya meeting Zachira, and Alejandro Sanz

http://www.hondudiario.com.nyud.net:8090/H/sites/default/files/imagecache/Foto_Interior_Noticias/xiomara%20y%20la%20pichu.jpg http://www.latribuna.hn.nyud.net:8090/web2.0/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/la-pichu.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_M5mQhY1RgcI/SmselC74C9I/AAAAAAAAFQM/ZZBsAeOlGuY/s400/lg4.jpg http://www.latribuna.hn.nyud.net:8090/web2.0/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/pichu.jpg

[L. Coyote]

37. Vargas Llosa: OAS is “useless, inefficient and at times dangerous”

Vargas Llosa: OAS is “useless, inefficient and at times dangerous”
http://en.mercopress.com/2010/01/11/vargas-llosa-oas-is-useless-inefficient-and-at-times-dangerous


“If there is an organization in Latinamerica which is inefficient,
useless and at times dangerous precisely because of its inefficiency,
it’s the Organization of American States, OAS”
Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa.

In an interview with Chile’s El Mercurio, Vargas Llosa said that “OAS is an office that must be radically transformed if we want it to become useful”.

Currently “it’s no use, it’s an organization that costs money, to which many resources and time are dedicated but it simply does not deliver, it’s useless”, added the writer, one of the leading pens of Spanish language who likes to incursion into politics.

Vargas Llosa offered as an example the “futility of OAS” in the recent events of Honduras, following the ousting of legitimate president Manuel Zelaya. .......

...............

[L. Coyote]

39. NY Times: Honduras' Top Court to Hear Case Against Military

Honduras' Top Court to Hear Case Against Military
January 11, 2010 - 10:57 p.m. ET - http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/11/world/AP-LT-Honduras-Coup.html


TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) -- Honduras' Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a request by the chief prosecutor to charge the country's top military commanders with abuse of power for sending President Manuel Zelaya into exile.

The court said in a statement that it has asked the six members of the Joint Chief of Staff to attend a hearing Thursday. Supreme Court President Jorge Rivera will hear the case before deciding how to proceed, the statement said.

The prosecutor's case doesn't question Zelaya's ouster itself, only whether the military went too far in flying the ousted leader to Costa Rica after he was arrested by armed soldiers in a dispute over a constitutional referendum.

It is unlikely the court will charge the officers. ...........

''Whose idea was it to present this initiative (for an amnesty)?'' Zelaya asked in an interview with Radio Globo. ''It didn't come from the international community, like Lobo claims. That is not true.''

[L. Coyote]

40. Zelaya criticizes national reconciliation without justice

Zelaya criticizes national reconciliation without justice
2010-01-12 09:30:07 - http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/12/content_12794688.htm


TEGUCIGALPA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The coup-ousted president of Honduras on Monday appealed for national reconciliation with justice instead of one without justice being done first.

Manuel Zelaya told local Radio Globo that he agrees with the president-elect that Honduras needs a reconciliation but it must be done with justice.

"I agree with the reconciliation, but the reconciliation is to make Honduras having justice, for the law to be enforced in Honduras," said Zelaya.

The ousted president, who has been staying inside the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa for safety, said that his rights as citizen and elected president of Honduras were violated.

.......

[Judi Lynn]

41. Honduras: Reject Amnesty for Abuses During Coup (Human Rights Watch)

Honduras: Reject Amnesty for Abuses During Coup
Government Must Effectively Investigate, Prosecute, and Sanction Abuses
December 11, 2009

(Washington, DC) - The proposal by Porfirio Lobo, winner of Honduras' disputed presidential election on November 29, 2009, for an "amnesty for all" of those involved in the June coup d'état violates the country's international obligations and undermines the rule of law, Human Rights Watch said today.

The election was organized by the de facto government, and has been recognized only by the United States and four Latin American countries. The de facto government took over after the military coup, on June 28, ousted the sitting president, Manuel Zelaya. He urged his supporters to boycott the election.

"A blanket amnesty would flout Honduras' obligation to ensure that all victims of rights violations can obtain a remedy, and set a precedent for granting impunity to abusers," said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas Director at Human Rights Watch.

Honduras is party to several international legal treaties that impose an obligation to protect fundamental rights and to remedy their abuses, including by investigating and prosecuting the violators as appropriate. These treaties also guarantee victims an effective legal remedy, including justice, truth, and adequate reparations.

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly called on the de facto government to repeal repressive decrees, stop blocking human rights inquiries, and investigate abuses - including allegations of killings, excessive use of force, and illegal and arbitrary detentions.

"The abuses committed during the coup and its aftermath need to be investigated, not swept under the carpet," Vivanco said. "Without a full and impartial inquiry, the legitimacy of any government will be called into question."

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/12/11/honduras-reject-amnesty-abuses-during-coup

[L. Coyote]

42. Lobo's "amnesty for all" is pure whitewash and self-serving at that.

Lobo's "amnesty for all" could validate his transition and credibility, in contrast to accepting rule from the de facto dictatorship violating constitutional order.

[Judi Lynn]

43. Sad. Democracy is poison to their elites. The pattern for bogus elections was reinforced here,

as our Supreme Court placed the loser of the 2000 race in the White House.

Apparently it is STILL law of the jungle where ever it can be managed, with only the shabbiest attempts to conceal it.

[L. Coyote]

44. Freebooters!! Such hubris.

[L. Coyote]

45. Honduran Congress Approves Withdrawal From ALBA

Honduran Congress Approves Withdrawal From ALBA
January 14, 2010 - http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/1158


On Tuesday, Honduras’ Congress approved a decree handed down in December by interim President Roberto Micheletti to end Honduras’ membership in the Bolivarian Alternative to the Americas (ALBA), a regional organization started by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Presidential spokesman Rafael Pineda, in an apparent reference to Venezuela, explained that the decision to leave was taken because “some of the countries in the organization have not treated Honduras with the respect it deserves.”

............

Honduras joined the regional organization on August 25, 2008, during a meeting between former President Zelaya and President Chávez. However, it was not until October 9 that the membership agreement was ratified by the Honduran Congress—then, ironically, presided over by Mr. Micheletti himself.