Central America

Honduras Truth Commission: Yes, it was a coup

The Honduras Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded that the removal from office of former President Manuel Zelaya was a coup—but also that Zelaya’s referendum on constitutional change was “a point of no return” in the crisis.

Central America

UN expert warns new El Salvador law harms judicial independence

UN Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Gabriela Knau warned that a new law in El Salvador requiring its high court to issue unanimous judgments is an “attack” on judicial independence and the separation of powers.

Central America

UN applauds arrest of Guatemala genocide suspect

The UN announced its approval of the arrest of Gen. Hector Mario López, former Guatemalan armed forces chief accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during his tenure from 1982-3.

Central America

Central American integration —and militarization

Talks on a Mexico-Central America free trade zone wrapped up as long-standing regional political disputes were officially resolved. But increased integration comes with stepped-up “anti-crime” military efforts.

Central America

Honduras: Zelaya returns, resistance responses vary

Thousands of Hondurans gathered at Tegucigalpa’s Toncontín International Airport to greet former president Manuel (“Mel”) Zelaya (2006-2009) as he returned from a 16-month exile.

Central America

Honduras: “normalization” …of political violence?

Ousted Honduran president Mel Zelaya and incumbent Porfirio Lobo signed a pact that will allow Zelaya to return to the country and “normalize” relations with the OAS. The next day, another journalist was shot in Tegucigalpa.