Why Honduras Matters

I know the average person might go "Honduras, what is that?" So, I am going to explain why Honduras matters so much right now (beside my explanation of the ALBA alliance in earlier posts.)

Honduras is a country of 7.5 million people, and is poor. The average person earns less than two dollars a day. The annual GDP is 14 billion dollars. Compare this to 14 trillion in the United States. It has a high level of wealth seperation (I.E. little to no middle class with a limited wealthy elite.) Its earliest days saw the Mayans build many, many temples. These temples provide one of the largest industries of Honduras: tourism.

1899 was the year in which the first shipment of bananas went from Honduras to the U.S. The company that shipped them would become Standard Fruit Company. This company became very powerful and controlled the government to a certain extent. This created the term "banana republic." Honduras was the first banana republic.

The companies began having their own towns to control with all the land grants from the Honduras government. As time passed the Monroe Doctrine brought the U.S. into Honduras often. We sent troops in 1903, 1907, 1911, 1912, 1919, 1924, and 1925. Following generally functioning democratic presidents they had a dictator for 16 years.

A coup in 1955 but an election took place in 1957. However, in 1963 there was another coup. Then there was a war following a soccer match with El Salvador. The reasons for the war were complex and you can look it up on your own time.

The U.S. has a majority of businesses in Honduras. It is excellent for food growing and that is the basis of our relations with them. For the past 60 years we have not invaded Honduras. Our 600 troops in Honduras remained at their base during the turmoil.

We usually don't care who is in power as long as the business relations stayed open. That explains the seemingly hands-off approach we have taken this time. We have made big statements, but have actually done very little. The reason this crisis is important now more than the previous power shifts is because of Zelaya's alliance to Chavez. On Monday many of you will read in your local papers about the newest findings on the drug smuggling operations of the Chavez government.

If that isn't enough, I believe Chavez is forming an alliance against us which is intent on having a fourth world war in order to destroy America and will put in place fascist governments worldwide in coordination with Iran.

That is why not having Zelaya in power matters. Mitchelleti and the others in Honduras are fighting the ALBA dependance Honduras has formed under Zelaya. I hope that helps give some perspective.