Politics and Democracy

Other Obliquities of the Political Crisis in Honduras

2009 was the year in which the political crisis in Honduras exploded in the new modality of coups, with the characteristic of a partial coup, with justifications within a tangle of laws that protect it; despite breaking the purest principles of democracy. Geofumadas now exceeds 100,000 monthly visitors, but the initial idea was born in Honduras, so it is difficult for me to unlink the human sentiment on this issue, although I must force a category within this site where political thought fits. Just so that faithful readers are aware that the problems of our countries are almost the same, I have spoken about this repeatedly; today I just want to rescue in brief thoughts what has happened, I have very few news since the last I wrote when the incident of Paraguay

And since it is so subjective, I prefer to release it like this, without structure, only to the thread of what comes out of thought in this hour that I am missing to return from a walk with my children; now that the girl who lights my eyes dares to drive on open road.

... if there was any gain in this ...

The accelerated breakdown of bipartisanship, undoubtedly everyone recognizes, is a benefit of this crisis, a process that cost neighboring countries like El Salvador 75,000 deaths. Now, Zelaya's movement known as Libertad y Refundación (Libre) brings together an interesting percentage of his original party, plus the sector that always shared leftist and / or reformist ideas.

We understand that the percentage of participation is uncertain, which will only be known as of the November 2013 primary elections (if they happen - for that reason end of the world of the mayas, Clear-). But the internal elections, where candidates for the primaries are defined, have shown that grassroots construction is their strength, and the possibility of reaching a number of mayoralties and deputies is evident; what an emerging party could never achieve. This is important, because every movement in almost any country started like this, although not all of them survived over time. Safely -and evidence of other similar experiences- they will not reach the presidency this time, but they will be able to do it after disciplined insistence

We also understand that it is a year of challenges, to mature a proposal, to learn what democratic socialism is in the developed countries of Europe, and cleanse it of the harmful customs of South American populism. To understand that the opportunity is so exceptional as to score a World Cup goal, or lose it forever.

honduras5

I love this photo, it is Nueva Frontera. One of the towns where - knowingly - we will see a mayoralty won by the left party, based on local leadership. 

... the suffering and not greedy ...

These countries are neophytes in aspects of development and self-sustainability; the best we can do is recognize it with dignity. Democracy is so fragile that it is solved by practices that other countries see as cave dwellers, but that in much of this continent remain options to avoid major damage and almost always justify worse.

So, damage to the economy and individualities is inevitable. Many, who have options within reach, leave the country to avoid living in anxiety, and those who remain are locked in the crisis of insecurity that has become complex in the corridor that connects Colombia with the United States.

It is also difficult but real to accept that we are all convinced, that our current politicians are not capable of moving forward. So moving the floor to bipartisanship is an important step, at least in fledgling democracies.

honduras3

When I took this picture, I never imagined that it would become so representative of the subliminal scenario of the politics of our countries.

…What happens with the rest…

There is a balance that does not agree with the ideas of the left and remains in the most conservative segment. And another group that understands that what we now have is not enough, but needs evidence to dive into a new wave. The greatest weakness of this last group is to ignore the political class and let it go into the abyss, due to some indifference, fatigue and also because they are busy with important things in life that can be wasted by political circus pods.

Meanwhile, in the political class, reforms in the political agenda are now becoming urgent, we all understood that but in these countries legislators are usually reactionary. The prominence for stealing the errand is that it is a coliseum, more than one is pronounced as if he had discovered the inclined plane, although entire books have been written on this context. By knowing how these world trends are, we know that the following reform in Honduras is based on the power of the people; although understanding "which power" and "which people" occupies a special reading, with openness and tolerance rather than specialty.

In the end, politics is a science if studied, but an art if practiced.

Better conditions for citizen participation, an efficient state, cleaning up political patronage, a continuous process on long-term plans; are some of the challenges. For now, a swamp of democratic crisis has entertained us, from which we will emerge, even if it costs us social upheavals that are ultimately necessary. Seeing initiatives by people not involved in politics, who propose or launch independent candidacies, are good signs. The Latin American context is showing that it is possible to move forward and for this it is necessary to break with indifference.

If your plans are to come to Honduras, come. Be cautious as in any Mesoamerican country, but do not miss the opportunity to know the cultural value of this region, the legacy of the Mayan civilization concentrated in an epicenter called Copán, the coral reefs that are a taste, the gastronomy and nature inland. . Believe half of what the press says, and enjoy the adventure as if it were an extreme sport.

This is one of my last photos. Impressive view from the municipal palace of Gualcinse, in the background you can see the Salvadoran lands. In the foreground a rock mound whose stratification is perfect for flat finishes.

... what can we expect from 2013 ...

Recent meetings with Aureliano Buendía they cast doubt on some of my positions. It's so easy for me to predict what ESRI apps might be thinking of for iPad, or what's new in AutoCAD 2014 as to deserve an article. But in this, just these are my assumptions:

  • 2013 will be a year of a terrible democratic crisis. This will make the report of the Truth Commission become the reference manual and the legal establishment the sheet of patches.
  • There is a risk that there will be no elections and that some incident will postpone them under special conditions.
  • The population will not stand another coup, and will be the best defender beyond the marches in the streets.

For those of us who are optimistic, it will be a great year. But you have to be careful.

For those with nervous problems, it will be a year of listening carefully to the media. In the morning those on the right, in the afternoon those on the left. The idea of ​​not listening ... is only healthy for the ostrich.

For those of you who don't care, wake up and take a stand. It does not matter which one.

…the older brother…

When I was 7 years old, I remember how difficult it was to dance the top in the air and pick it up in the palm of my hand. I tried one, another, another, and my older brother's recommendations were useless. When his patience was exhausted he told me:

"Teach, give me that top."

He danced it 3 times showing me that it was possible to do it in his natural ability. Then he would take it off for a couple of days and tell me that I would keep it under his tutelage, to prevent it from going to put a hole in my forehead.

It was an interesting way of telling me that I was taking it for granted.

"It is not far from any older brother taking the spin off of us as incapable."

Golgi Alvarez

Writer, researcher, specialist in Land Management Models. He has participated in the conceptualization and implementation of models such as: National Property Administration System SINAP in Honduras, Management Model of Joint Municipalities in Honduras, Integrated Cadastre-Registry Management Model in Nicaragua, Territory Administration System SAT in Colombia . Editor of the Geofumadas knowledge blog since 2007 and creator of the AulaGEO Academy that includes more than 100 courses on GIS - CAD - BIM - Digital Twins topics.

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2 Comments

  1. Brother I fully share your words in relation to the political crises in our countries, I really think that many play to the chaos and the despair of the people. I hope that Honduras, like Venezuela, will sooner or later take the path of progress in a truly domocratic climate.

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