Canada and Honduras: Act Now

If Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants to be taken seriously as an international figure, he must be able to simultaneously juggle domestic and international crises without dropping the ball. While the Liberal opposition threatens to bring down Harper’s minority government daily, the Tories must avoid losing sight of the bigger picture when it comes to the rest of the hemisphere. Ottawa policy makers and government agency heads should not allow themselves to become so enamored with partisan squabbles that they forget Canada’s overriding commitment to democracy, which was recently lost on Honduras. Canadian leaders can not afford to delay international action in favour of petty matters closer to home, especially when Canada’s reputation for public rectitude is at stake. There is no time better than the present for the maple leaf flag to rise to the occasion and respond to Honduras’ crisis with its traditional commitment to constitutional ascendancy.

Honduras at a Glimpse

While the elected Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya, remains ousted by the coup that unseated him at gunpoint, Roberto Micheletti (the de facto president) continues to hold power. Yesterday, on September 21, Zelaya made a surprise return to Honduras, and is currently residing in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa. In an arrogant and thoroughly unconstitutional campaign to uphold Zelaya’s exile, Micheletti has sought to keep the reigns of power in his hands until scheduled elections are staged on November 29th. Upon Zelaya’s return, José Miguel Insulza, the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), called on both sides to remain calm.

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This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate, Shantel Beach

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 | Press release 09.228