2009 Coup in Honduras
The history background of the 2009 coup in Honduras is one which was characterized by imperialistic domination, poverty and exploitation. On the 28th of July 2009, a trained army stormed into the residence of President Manuel Zelaya and forced him out of power by taking him prisoner and banishing him from Honduras. The army which carried out this action was rumored to belong to United States, and it is a wonder that the coup happened without Washington’s tactic approval or knowledge. There was a close association between the pentagon and the Honduran army. Early, on the Thursday morning president Zelaya had delivered an inspiring speech to a huge crowd of his supporters (Cáceres 32). The purpose of this speech was to ask for their support by following him. Gradually the crowd transformed into a huge mob.
The president attempted to declare himself as the president by retrieving the ballot boxes which were planned for the Sunday’s opinion poll. In the mix of the collection of these ballot boxes, there was an abrupt arrest of the president giving rise to the civil coup (Cáceres 35). According to Zelaya, he was helping out the citizens by carrying out their will suggesting that he already recognized that he would win in the poll showing that there was a plan for rigging. Therefore, this essay will highlight the factors that contributed to the initiation of the coup. Furthermore, a detailed explanation of the chronology of the coup will be noted while providing ideas on some of the issues which influenced the occurrence. Finally, analysis of the political outcome and development that resulted from the coup will be done.
Regardless of the vigorous international calls for ceasefire, the coup kept on, and even with the negotiations, Zelaya could not return to power. The country experienced several massive strikes and protests by workers and teachers in response to the coup because of the effect it had on the country’s performance. The oppressive, exploitative and economic systems employed by Zelaya in the country acted as some of the motivating factors for the support of the coup by a large percentage of the citizens. While there was failure of diplomacy to evade the coup from happening in Honduras, it was predictable but the incapability to achieve a reversal was maybe shocking (Lowenthal 257). After all Honduras is a small, vulnerable and poor country which depends on international aid from the western foreign countries especially the United States, making up a large part of its economy (approximately one tenth). In a swift, unanimous and uncompromising fashion, the international community predestined the coup. Furthermore, the de facto Honduran system was not recognized by any foreign government.
The UN General Assembly, European Union and the United States which is the most important foreign actor in the country, censured the president’s ousting with immediate effect. During this period, the president appeared on the Television wondering if the United States Government played a part in the coup. He asked for the U.S ambassador who was based in Tegucigalpa to clear that matter. According to Political Conditions (20) the U.S was disappointed by this accusation and just as the Latin leaders; it also failed to acknowledge the viability of the elections. However, it would seem that the Obama Administration did not attempt to play any part in putting in place effective sanctions. This led to deep disenchantment with the U.S president in most of the Latin America. The people openly criticized the U.S President for going back on his promises.
Chronological Order of the Coup
In order to comprehend the coup, it is significant to analyze the events that occurred. Prior the occurrence of the coup—since December 2008—the president then, Zelaya, kept on petitioning for adoption of a 4thballot box in the elections which were due in November 2009. These elections were supposed to act as referendum (Cáceres 32). While he struggled to convince people that it was for the good of the people, arguments were made that his main goal was to put an end to the limits which were seen in the Constitution. This meant that if the referendum passed, he would be able to make a way for re-election.
This move was ruled against, by the Supreme Court of Honduras making it clear that only the Congress had the power to call for a referendum. Zelaya went against this rule and got ballot boxes and ballots from Hugo Chavez to go ahead with the referendum. In addition, he got rid of the Head of armed forces for failing to offer logistical support for his survey. The Supreme Court reacted to this move by overruling the president and demanding for the restoration of the armed forces chief. In an attempt to prevent the referendum, the country’s Attorney General appealed the court to confiscate the polling materials and all ballot boxes (Main 19).
Furthermore, the court decided to demand that Zelaya be taken into custody in order to commence with criminal actions which were to be instigated against him for his insistence on carrying out the referendum. The court order from the Supreme Court was already prepared and just before dawn on 28th of June, Military personnel went into the residence of Zelaya and detained him citing charges of misuse of Authority, treason, Usurpation of functions corruption, infringement against the constitution and attempt to hold a study to rationalize the formation of National Constitutional Assembly. Following the forceful removal of the Zelaya, all the other functions of the government returned to normalcy.
Domestic and International Influences
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, a Latin America state acted as a major influence on the ongoing Honduras coup. When the coup occurred, he set up several activities and strategies that affected the coup. For instance, he resorted to using Venezuela’s oil trade as a means to initiate summits with other countries. He even threatened that if other states did not intervene in reinstating back Zelaya, he would openly use manipulative techniques. In addition, he decided to mobilize the Hondurans to go against the military. However, according to Lowenthal (258) the level of Hugo Chavez’s influence on the country’s crisis is vague as many people say he was using this as a platform to address Venezuela’s domestic problems.
Relations between Honduras and United States experienced a strain during the coup. The United States was the biggest contributor of financial aid and during this period, it cut off nearly all contact with the affected Honduras government. Moreover, it minimized cooperation and foreign assistance with the Military of Honduras. It also invalidated visas of supporters and members of the Micheletti government who had taken over after the removal of Zelaya.
Political Outcome and Assessment
After President Zelaya was forced out of the government, Robert Micheletti became the acting president of Honduras. Robert and the National Congress of Honduras passed a budget which led to extreme reduction the expenditures of the government (Main 16). He also endorsed measures that negated added decrees and restructuring approved under the governance of Zelaya. Furthermore, he upheld tight organization of the society, leading to extreme limitations brought about the political opposition. Over the subsequent months, there were multiple curfews which took place in the Micheletti government, suppression of public demonstrations, state of emergencies, cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment.
President Zelaya’s era was depressing for the citizens of Honduras.It was characterized by a poor economy which sent the country into a financial crisis leading to continued assistance by foreign nations.Most of people were relieved that this type of oppression came to an end even if it is through an unpleasant means. The schools were in an unpleasant condition and this led to people and the Supreme Court saying enough is enough especially when the president wanted to declare himself president. The selfishness is seen through the desire to extend his term as the president. The coup was an answer to the prayers of some people while some did not take it so kindly. However, the reasons that led to it are justified since it is not proper for presidents to extend their terms forcefully and for their own benefits. If this had happened, the probability of the country plunging into greater problems and debts was apparent.
Conclusion
The essay discusses the Honduras coup which occurred in 2009 as a wakeup call for the country to elect leaders who had the best interests of the country at heart. The coup was brought about by a country which was tired of all the inconsistencies in the government. The President Zelaya had the intention of declaring himself the president for another term, through the interference with the referendum. The coup was a move by the Supreme Court and the Military to attempt to restore the country back to a democratic state. This is because, if President Zelaya managed a win in the referendum, it would grant him power to eliminate some of the constitution restrictions that limited his power as the head of the state.
Works Cited
Cáceres, di I. M.The Good Coup: The Overthrow of Manuel Zelaya in Honduras. Terrace, B.C.: CCB Pub, 2010. Pp 31-36. Print.
Lowenthal, Abraham F. Shifting the Balance: Obama and the Americas. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2010. Pp 256-260. Print.
Main, Alexander. "'A New Chapter Of Engagement': Obama And The Honduran Coup. (Cover Story)."
NACLA Report On The Americas 43.1 (2010): 15-21. Academic Search Premier.
Web. 16 Apr. 2012.
"Political Conditions."Honduras Country Review (2011): 8-30. Business Source Complete.Web.16 Apr. 2012.
