La Gringa yesterday put up several posts in an attempt to clarify what really happened to Zelaya, the deposed President of Honduras. It’s very interesting: the articles claim that Zelaya was arrested by the military by order of the Honduran Supreme Court. That removes the action from the category of military coup.
Problem is, none of the major media outside of Honduras–including the Brasilian newspapers–are using this information. Latest this morning in Folha de São Paulo is that Zelaya was removed by the military with the support of the Honduran Supreme Court. That’s not the same.
I learned from Folha that Zelaya is visiting the US and has an appointment with Secretary of State Clinton on Tuesday. The NY Times has just posted an article on its front page.
Yesterday (or Sunday) I read in the Brasilian press that the Lula (president of Brasil) government is worried about the Honduran crisis mainly because Brasil is afraid that this crisis will somehow impeded the loosening of restrictions on Cuba, which, according to the article, Latin American countries consider the keystone of improved relations with the US. The article also reported that the Brasilian government is “uncomfortable” with the fact that there is no mechanism anywhere to put Zelaya back into office.
Members of the Honduran interim government now realize that it was a mistake to exile Zelaya, that they should have kept him under arrest and tried him in their courts. He certainly is making mischief out there.
Addendum 1:
Let me make it clear–normally I loathe just about anything Charles Krauthammer has to say, since in my view of the world, he’s so far right of center that no one has been able to define the position yet. But I do read his column from time to time and I like to think that I keep an open mind; after all, no one can be wrong all the time!
I was sent the link to this video on YouTube by chiriquijohn, who lives in David. Considering that it’s Fox News, which, in my opinion, is one of the best fiction channels on TV, this is not bad for them–probably because Krauthammer slams Obama.
However, to give Krauthammer his due, his recap of the situation (not necessarily his recommendations) is in accord with La Gringa’s postings, so I thought I would post the YouTube link. Thanks, John!
Wouldn’t it be boring if we all agreed? 
Addendum 2:
Yet another take on the situation in Honduras by a Honduran–from the Op Ed column of the New York Times
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Hi Joyce,
That NYT piece is perhaps the best I have read in recent days concerning the situation in Honduras. Endless debates over whether this meets the definition of a coup, microscopic examination of the Honduran Constitution, etc., etc., miss the larger point about how most people living there feel about things. I’m not surprised that, for many people, there seems to be a sense that this really doesn’t matter that much, as one ineffective corrupto is replaced by another. What may get people there riled a bit, in my opinion, is meddling by outside forces. Hope things there work out ok for our friend La Gringa.
Hi, Gordo!
I assume you’re talking about the Op-Ed piece,and I agree–it’s one of the very few that have bothered to check out what the majority of Hondurans think. And yes–everyone should keep out.
I’m hoping that La Gringa will be ok. She’s written far more inflammatory pieces in the past, mainly about Zelaya, and no one’s come for her yet. So cross your fingers…
Joyce
The ironical thing about this is both Chavez and Ortega are the most vocal yet they have done some very undemocratic things.
Presently Ledezma in Venezuela is persisting with his hunger strike at the OAS office in Caracas. He is in his fourth day. He was duly elected mayor of Caracas. He is in an opposition party to Chavez. Chavez refused to recognized him. Chavez refuse to provide the city with funds for its budget. Chavez appointed his own man.
Last November Nicaragua held municipal elections. Most everyone agreed Ortega stole the election. The USA terminated the Millennium Challenge Account funds. The EU withdrew their aid. You know it is bad when even Sweden pulls her aid.
Neither of these stories are being reported by the MSM…Main street Media.
As my friend wrote, “Having democratic elections does not make for a democracy….it is what happens between the elections. ”
The OAS is a failed institution.
The reason many of the other leaders do not speak against Chavez is they know he will make trouble for them…so it is easier for them not say anything in public.
I think there are a whole bunch of reasons why other Latin American leaders say nothing about Chavez. Yes, he’s got the money to make trouble. But even if they don’t completely agree with what he’s doing, frankly, he’s a great point man for resentments against the US, for example. A great many people agree with his anti-US stance. It’s very convenient to have Chavez take all the heat.
All that money makes it far more politic to say nothing and get the cheap oil he gives out to “allies”. This is certainly true in Central America. Can’t remember where I read or saw it, but he’s got some organization of Caribbean countries to whom he sells oil extremely cheaply. No one’s going to disturb the goose that’s handing out golden eggs at discount prices.
As for the MSM–you know what’s pathetic? You can’t even get real, substantial news about Canada, never mind end-of-the-world countries in Central or South America. The US is so insular that outside of an occasional article, no attention is paid, for example, to Canadian elections and their significance for Canada–or, for that matter, for the US. When I lived in Western Washington, I used to visit acquaintances in Canada outside of Vancouver and listened with enormous interest once time, years ago, when tensions between Canada and the US were at the boiling point, as far as Canada was concerned, over fishing rights. And not a word in any of the MSM, including the Seattle papers. The latter is not surprising, since the Seattle papers are mediocre at best, but Canada is the US’s largest trading partner–and not a peep.
So–any coverage of Venezuelan happenings? Honduras? Panama? Brasil, outside of the occasional cutsie article about the Amazon or the obligatory every 6 month expose of economic slavery in the same region? Heavens, you do ask a lot, John.
Joyce