A short lesson on Third World "Democracy"

So I’ve finally decided to write a blog. I’ve been debating whether or not to start so late in the game but, as Debbi says, “Its better late than never.” So here goes…

Plus, I have a whole grip of time due to the forty (this is an approximation) hour curfew that has been imposed by the government. I’ve been in lockdown since Monday 9/21 at 4 pm, right after school. On Monday, the curfew was supposed to be lifted at 7 am; however, that was not the case. Later on Monday night, while watching the news, it was announced that the curfew would be extended until 6 pm on Tuesday. By the time 6 pm Tuesday rolls around, the curfew again is extended until 6 am on Wed. Needless to say we will be locked up in our house until who knows when or when something happens with Mel, the former president of Honduras.

The content of my first blog will pertain to my basic knowledge of what’s happening here in Honduras ahorita due to the return of Mel Zelaya, more commonly known as Mel.

Mel attempted to issue a mass opinion poll to Honduran citizens. One of the questions on the poll was whether or not the people would be in favor of extending the amount of time a president could hold office. This among other things stirred controversy because Mel was trying to change the constitution so that he would be able to hold power longer. The major threat is that Mel is in cahoots with Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, thus being influenced by leftist and socialistic ideology. Mel’s attempt to change the constitution was breaking the constitutional law. People were afraid of Mel’s agendas thus a reactionary organization formed (called the golpistas). Mel was taken out of his home in his PJs and flown out of the country to Costa Rica. Basically, the coup was a method of impeachment. The coup stirred up negative memories. During the last coup, in the 1980s, there were many causalities. The current coup was bloodless and for the most part a smooth transition. Coups are never peaceful but at least it was some-what violentless. They placed an interim president, Micheletti, in office until the elections that are supposed to be held in November.

Since my arrival on Aug 15, there were no signs that a coup had occurred two months prior. Of course it’s not the safest here, more stories of the adventures and everyday living in Tegucigalpa to come. The presence of Mels has caused a lot of chaos. Mel hid in the backs of various vehicles for 15 hours as he was transported from Nicaragua to Honduras, where he was received by the Brazilian government. I still have yet to discover the ties between Mel and Brazil, a minor fact but it’s driving me crazy.

The fact that Mel has returned after a three month period of exile, is not ok. His presence alone is arousing the tensions between those in favor of him and the golpistas. This time around seems to be a lot more aggressive than the actual coup in June. My concern is what his intentions are. One article that I read on BBC said that he wanted to dialogue with the golpistas. Micheletti is willing to open up conversations with Mel on one condition: that Mel recognizes that the elections in Nov. shall take place with no interruptions. Mel has yet to submit to this conditions. So currently Honduras is at a stand still. Time will only tell what the next move shall be. For now, please pray for this country.

Side note, I wrote this journal first thing when I woke up a lot has changed since then. We were able to get out a little to get groceries, which was not fun. And another curfew was issued at 5pm until 6am. Supposedly tomorrow will be a normal day. Meaning, school is in session.

So its night time. Night Night!

Love you all!

Besos!