The Coup in Honduras can be explained by divergences among the local elite
After many years, Latin America again experiences an institutional rupture. Such is the case in Honduras. The political crisis was generated by then President Manuel Zelaya’s decision to remove the head of the Armed Forces, Romeo Vasquez, from his position.
Zelaya made the controversial decision after Congress and the Supreme Court deemed a plebiscite that could open the door for a Constituent Assembly, illegal. According to critics, the maneuver had as its goal the approval of a reelection – prohibited by the current Magna Carta.
Vasquez was relieved of his duties for refusing to provide logistical support to Zelaya’s proposal, who was eventually deposed by Congress. Roberto Micheletti took his place as interim-President.
Though many believe that Zelaya’s ousting is due to external motivations – namely, Honduras’ participation in ALBA – the Honduran crisis is primarily a domestic affair.
Until now, Honduras’ fragile government was held by an elite took alternate turns at power. Something along the lines of a pact between the National and Liberal parties, the two main political parties in the country. Politically, both are centrists that lean to the right.
Though he is the son of a farmer and belongs to the Liberal Party, Manuel Zelaya has grown close with the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, drifting away from his traditional base. He has become closer with the unions and the indigenous movement.
Taking advantage of an average economic growth of 5.5%, Zelaya increased the minimum wage by 60% and strengthened relations with groups without political representation.
The drifting away from the traditional parties that polarized Honduran politics since 1981 and the low capability of mobilization of the groups Zelaya has approached, left him in a fragile position. To make things worse, the Armed forces turned against him.
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