Approaching three months since the coup in Honduras, the country seemed no closer to re-instating ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Until just days ago, Hondurans continued to take opportunities to express their opinion on the coup one way or the other, the most recent being demonstrations at the Honduran Independence Day celebrations. While this was going on, the wider international community was not discussing whether the move was right or wrong. In fact, despite the divided opinion of the Honduran people, other Central American governments as well as the West seemed unanimous in their agreement that Zelaya needed to return to power.
Zelaya tried to come back himself time and time again, but blockaded runways and tough border controls caused his efforts to go unrewarded. Although they agreed in principle that Zelaya's return was vital, it's unclear to what extent influential powers such as the United States strived to make this happen during recent weeks and months. But whatever they did do evidently did not have the desired effect. Under the guise of stepping-up the campaign to reinstate Zelaya, both the US and Europe delivered news that would only come as a major blow to Honduras – the cutting of millions of dollars of non-humanitarian aid to the country.
Honduran Independence Day – Independent or Isolated
Is it this that gave Zelaya renewed drive and commitment to get back to his country? Or was it the patriotism demonstrated by Hondurans as they persevered with their Independence Day celebrations on September 15th, marking 188 years of independence from the Spanish, just days after the US and weeks after European aid was cut. The celebrations came at an ironic moment in time. Suffocating in the consequences of an act of corruption, the country had probably never been more 'independent' in all its history. Suspended from the Organization of American States (OAS) in protest over Zelaya's ousting, the victim of trade blockades imposed by neighbouring countries and now millions of dollars short of crucial aid.
Will Zelaya's return reverse the uncertainties and isolation that have multiplied since his forced departure? Or will his return trigger violence on the streets and the bloodbath that interim leader Roberto Micheletti warned would happen, should Zelaya dare return?
What has been Happening in Honduras During Recent Weeks?
Once it became clear that Zelaya would be prevented from returning to Honduras quickly, the international community started to put pressure on the de facto government to re-instate their democratically elected leader. The European Union suspended (US)$90 million of financial aid to Honduras less than a month after the coup. Following a visit to Mexico on July 20, 2009, European commissioner for external relations – Benita Ferrero-Waldner – announced that aid would be suspended because of the failed talks over reinstating President Zelaya. Oscar Arias, the President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace prize laureate, mediated the talks. Arias drafted the San Jose Accord, which would return President Zelaya to a limited form of power until the elections, scheduled for November.
Honduras failed to adopt Arias' accord, prompting the US to respond by saying that “strong measures” were needed. Those strong measures came in the form of halting all non-humanitarian aid, which equals approximately (US) $30 million. The aborted aid included more than (US)$9 million from the Agency for International Development, almost (US) $9 million from the State Department and up to (US) $2 million in US security assistance. The US State Department also revoked visas for a number of supporters of the interim government and stopped issuing most visas in general in country. The idea was that it would pressure the de facto government controlling Honduras to return Zelaya to power.
Zelaya – Back in Tegucigalpa
In fact, it seems that it was not the pressure the international community placed on the de facto government that led to Zelaya's return to the country, but rather an eventual victorious attempt by Zelaya to pervade his country's borders. Despite early reports making the situation unclear - Roberto Micheletti denies that Zelaya is even in the county - Zelaya has told Honduran TV channel 36: “I am here in Tegucigalpa. I am here for the restoration of democracy, to call for dialogue.” Venezuela, Guatemala and the US have all confirmed Zelaya's return to Honduras and up to 4,000 Zelaya supporters swarmed to the UN building in the capital city in celebration.
What happens next will be the question everybody craves the answer to. No-one more so than Zelaya himself, presumably.
 |
