Honduran Election Resolves Nothing

The people of Honduras went to the polls over the week-end to pick a new president, and many hope that the election of Porfirio Lobo will end the political crisis that has gripped the nation for the last few of months. The election will do nothing of the kind. Mr. Lobo's election was held under conditions that render it null and void. Sadly, it looks like there is no way out.

The entire mess began when President Manuel Zelaya tried to hold a non-binding referendum on amending the Honduran Constitution to allow him to run for re-election. The legislature and the Supreme Court held that referendum was illegal. The army burst into Mr. Zelaya's bedroom and shipped him off to Costa Rica. He then sneaked back into the country and took to the Brazilian embassy, where he found refuge and a platform to work for his return to power.

Roberto Micheletti, the man whom the army placed in charge of the country, sat out the election, as did Mr. Zelaya. The former did so because Mr. Lobo was the preferred candidate of the right, and he was merely a front-man. Mr. Zelaya declined to participate because he rightly felt that the conditions in the country didn't allow for a free and fair vote.

Mr. Lobo's election, though, has split Latin America. Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela are saying that the election isn't legitimate and, therefore, Mr. Lobo's government will not be recognized. Meanwhile, Panama, Peru and Costa Rica have accepted it, albeit with some reluctance. The US appears to be siding with the latter.

Mr. Lobo has a huge problem on his hands, what to do with Mr. Zelaya, who has no desire or plans to leave the stage. An amnesty might help, but it merely papers over the nation's divisions. "The election may have passed, but its the same military officials, the same congress, the same people who worked against me still in power, so what does this fix?'' Mr. Zelaya said. "Absolutely nothing." No, indeed, and nothing seems to offer a way out. Mr Zelaya also said, "Honduras has to find a way out, and the only way to do that is through a national and political dialogue." One doubts even that will work.

© Copyright 2009 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.

Kensington Review Home