Honduran Daily Warns of
Militarization
TEGUCIGALPA - Since the coup of June 28,
2009, there has been a return to the
militarization of state policies in
Honduras, especially with regard to internal
security, a Tiempo daily editorial warned on
Thursday.
"The country is going back to the practice
of military involvement in police
activities, and there is a trend in the
horizon to return to the national security
doctrine applied in the terrible 80s," the
daily said.
A Tiempo editorial criticizes the government
decision to deploy over 1,000 troops to
patrol the streets along with police
officers for the alleged purpose of fighting
crime and violence.
In addition, 2,200 Army troops and policemen
have been sent to Aguan Valley, in northern
Honduras, the scene of a land dispute.
Leaders of the United Farmers Movement in
Aguan condemned the unprecedented
mobilization and claimed that it is aimed at
frightening the families settled there,
although authorities say that the objective
is to combat the trafficking of drugs and
arms.
Under the pretext of fighting crime and drug
trafficking, President of Honduras Porfirio
Lobo and US Ambassador Hugo Llorens signed
yesterday an agreement called "Merida Carcy."
Under the agreement, Washington will provide
close to $4 million for military training
programs, border inspection and support for
special Army units, among other purposes.
"In short, this is a new initiative under
the Merida Plan to support Central America
specifically, as Merida is an initiative
involving Mexico, the United States and
Central America," said Llorens.
Just a week ago, Washington and Tegucigalpa
inaugurated a naval base in Gracias a Dios
department, bordering Nicaragua, with a US
investment of $2 million.
The facility will be operated by the
Honduras Navy with support from US Southern
Command officers.
The US also controls the Palmerola air base,
in central Comayagua department, where
President Manuel Zelaya was first taken on
the day of the coup.
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