Honduras: Background and U.S. Relations

Honduran-U.S. Relations Peter J. Meyer Analyst in Latin American Affairs February 17July 14, 2011 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL34027 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Honduran-U.S. Relations Summary On January 27, 2010, Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa was inaugurated Presidentpresident of Honduras, assuming power after seven months of domestic political crisis and international isolation that had resulted from the June 28, 2009, ouster of President Manuel Zelaya. While the strength of Lobo’s National Party in the legislature has enabled the government to secure passage of much of its policy agenda, the Lobo Administration administration to pass much of its policy agenda, Lobo has made only limited progress in addressing the challenges inherited as a result of the political crisis. Several efforts to foster political reconciliation, including the creation of a truth commission and the passage of a measure to enable constitutional reform, reconciliation have helped Honduras secure international recognition but have done little to lessonlessen domestic polarization. MoreoverLikewise, human rights abuses have continued, and the country has failed to secure recognition from some sectors of the international community—which increased significantly in the aftermath of Zelaya’s ouster—have continued, and the citizen security situation has deteriorated. In June 2011, 45% of Hondurans approved of Lobo’s performance in office. In addition to the political problems inherited as a result of the 2009 ouster, Lobo has had to contend with a weak economy. Honduras suffered an economic contraction of 2.1% in 2009 as the global financial crisis, together with the domestic political crisis, led to significant declines in tourism, remittances, and export earnings, and foreign investment. Lobo has pushed a number of reforms through Congress designed to restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public finances, and encourage sustained economic growth. Although these reforms have generated considerable opposition from some sectors of Honduran society, they have the support of the international financial institutions, which are now providing Honduras with access to much needed development financing. The economy picked upbegan to recover in 2010, with estimated growth of 2.8%, and is expected to grow by 3.78% in 2011. Nonetheless, significant development challenges remain. Approximately 60% of Honduras’ 8 million citizens live underbelow the poverty line and the country continues to perform country performs poorly on a number of social indicators. Although relations were strained during the political crisis, the United States has traditionally had a close relationship with Honduras. Broad U.S. policy goals in the country include a strengthened democracy democracy with an effective justice system that protects human rights and promotes the rule of law, and the promotion of sustainable economic growth with a more open economy and improved living living conditions. In addition to providing Honduras with substantial amounts of foreign assistance ($51 50.2 million in FY2010) and maintaining significant military and economic ties, the United States cooperates with Honduras on transnational issues such as migration, crime, narcotics trafficking, trafficking in persons, and port security. The 111th Congress expressed considerable interest in Honduras as a result of the 2009 political crisis and its aftermath. Several resolutions were introduced and multiple hearings were held. Issues such as ongoing human rights abuses, reintegration of Honduras into the international community, and U.S. policy toward Honduras may continue to be of interest to the 112th Congresshuman rights abuses, the state of democracy, security challenges, and the treatment of U.S. businesses have continued to be of interest to the 112th Congress. On June 15, 2011, a bill (H.R. 2200) was introduced in the House to limit U.S. assistance to Honduras unless the President certifies that the Government of Honduras has settled all outstanding expropriation claims brought by U.S. companies. This report examines current political and economic conditions in Honduras as well as issues in Honduran-U.S. relations. For a more detailed examination of the Honduran political crisis, see CRS Report R41064, Honduran Political Crisis, June 2009-January 2010. Congressional Research Service Honduran-U.S. Relations Contents Recent Developments..................................................................................................................1 Political Situation........................................................................................................................2 Background ..........................................................................................................................2 Political Crisis.......................................................................................................................3 Detention and Expulsion of Zelaya..................................................................................3 Micheletti Government ...................................................................................................4 November 2009 Elections ...............................................................................................5 Lobo Administration ............5 Results .......................................................................................................7 Political Reconciliation .....................5 Legitimacy..............................................................................7 Truth Commission........................................6 Challenges for the Lobo Administration .............................................................7 Constitutional Reform...................7 Political Reconciliation ............................................................................9 Return of Zelaya .................................................7 Truth Commission.................................................... 10 Human Rights ..................................................7 Constitutional Reform............................................................. 11 Press Freedom and the Killing of Journalists .....................................8 Human Rights ...................... 11 International Recognition ...........................................................................................9 Press Freedom and the Killing of Journalists ... 12 Economic and Social Conditions ...................................................................................... 10 International Recognition ......... 13 Background .................................................................................................... 11 Economic and Social Conditions .................... 13 Crises and Recovery........................................................................... 11 Background ................................. 14 Issues in U.S.-Honduran Relations ............................................................................................ 11 Crises and Recovery16 Foreign Assistance ............................................................................................................. 13 Issues in U.S.-Honduran Relations . 17 Military Cooperation.................................................................................................. 14 U.S. Foreign Assistance ................ 18 Trade and Investment ............................................................................................... 15 Military Cooperation...................... 19 Migration Issues................................................................................................ 16 Economic Linkages.................. 20 Temporary Protected Status........................................................................................... 17 Migration Issues20 Remittances .................................................................................................................. 18 Temporary Protected Status21 Deportations ........................................................................................... 18 Remittances ......................... 21 Crime, Violence, and Drug Trafficking................................................................................ 22 Honduran Security Efforts.................. 19 Deportations ...................................................................................... 23 U.S. Cooperation........................... 19 Crime, Violence, and Drug Trafficking................................................................................ 2024 Human Trafficking.............................................................................................................. 2224 Port Security ....................................................................................................................... 2325 Figures Figure 1. Map of Honduras .........................................................................................................2 Figure 2. Party Affiliation in the Unicameral Honduran National Congress..................................56 Tables Table 1. U.S. Bilateral Assistance to Honduras, FY2007-FY2011FY2008-FY2012 .............................................. 1617 Congressional Research Service Honduran-U.S. Relations Contacts Author Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 2326 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... 2326 Congressional Research Service Honduran-U.S. Relations Recent Developments On January 13, 2011, the Honduran National Congress approved a measure that would grant referendums, plebiscites, and citizen initiatives the power to address “issues of fundamental importance to national life,” potentially including constitutional changes. The measure needs to be passed again during the new session of Congress that began on January 25, 2011, in order to take effect. (For more information, see “Constitutional Reform”) On January 13, 2011, the Honduran press reported that the country had a homicide rate of 77 per 100,000 residents in 2010, four times the Latin American average and one of the highest rates in the world. On December 28, 2010, a radio reporter was killed in Honduras, becoming the 10th journalist to be killed in Honduras in 2010. (For more information, see “Press Freedom and the Killing of Journalists”). On November 14, 2010, the Honduran National Congress approved a legislative decree to freeze the price of basic foodstuffs for 90 days in response to sharp increases in prices stemming from local shortages. On November 10, 2010, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $45.8 million loan for Honduras to promote the stability and strengthening of the Honduran financial system and expand access to financial services. On November 9, 2010, the World Bank approved a $74.7 million loan to Honduras to address its short-term fiscal situation and initiate reforms intended to improve the country’s long-term fiscal balance. On October 14, 2010, the Honduran National Statistics Institute (INE) published the results of its latest household census, which found that 60% of Hondurans live below the poverty line. On October 1, 2010, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved $202 million in financial support to Honduras to restore macroeconomic stability and advance economic reforms consistent with the country’s poverty reduction and growth objectives. On September 22, 2010, Secretary of State Clinton signed a Memorandum of Understanding with President Lobo outlining the Building Remittance Investment for Development Growth and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE) Initiative, which will develop relationships with in-county financial institutions to maximize the development impact of remittance flows from the United States. (For more information, see “Remittances”). On September 17, 2010, Honduras completed its five-year, $205 million economic growth compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Congressional Research Service 1 Honduran-U.S. Relations Figure 1. Map of Honduras Source: Map Resources. Adapted by CRS GraphicsJuly 7, 2011, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission appointed by President Lobo to investigate the June 28, 2009, ouster of President Manuel Zelaya issued its report. (For more information, see “Truth Commission.”) On June 26, 2011, an assembly of the leftist National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) approved the creation of a political party—the Broad Front of Popular Resistance (FARP)—to contest the November 2013 Honduran elections. On June 14, 2011, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere held a hearing on U.S. policy toward Honduras titled, “Holding Honduras Hostage: Revoked Visas and U.S. Policy.” On June 1, 2011, the member-states of the Organization of American States (OAS) voted 32-1 to lift Honduras’ suspension from the organization. (For more information, see “International Recognition.”) On May 31, 2011, 87 U.S. Members of Congress signed a letter to Secretary of State Clinton that expressed concern about the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law in Honduras, and called for the suspension of U.S. police and military assistance to the country “due to the lack of mechanisms in place to ensure security forces are held accountable for abuses.” On May 28, 2011, nearly two years after he was first forced into exile, former President Zelaya returned to Honduras. (For more information, see “Return of Zelaya.”) On May 22, 2011, President Lobo and former President Zelaya signed the “Accord for National Reconciliation and the Consolidation of the Democratic System in Honduras.” Among other provisions, the accord (1) guarantees the right of Zelaya and his exiled supporters to return to political life in Honduras; (2) reaffirms that the Honduran government has an obligation to protect human rights; (3) ensures that the FNRP can register as a political party; and (4) reiterates that the recent reforms to the Honduran constitution guarantee citizens’ rights to seek national plebiscites on issues of fundamental importance. On May 2, 2011, the Honduran Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to annul criminal charges against former President Zelaya. On March 9, 2011, Honduran police discovered a Mexican-run cocaine lab, the first ever found in the country. (For more information, see “Crime, Violence, and Drug Trafficking.”) On February 17, 2011, the Honduran National Congress approved a measure that makes it easier for citizens to call plebiscites and referendums, and allows such citizen initiatives to address “issues of fundamental importance to national life,” potentially including constitutional changes. (For more information, see “Constitutional Reform.”) Congressional Research Service 1 Honduran-U.S. Relations Figure 1. Map of Honduras Source: CRS. Political Situation Background A Central American nation of 8 million people, Honduras enjoyed 27 years of uninterrupted democratic, constitutional governance prior to the forced removal of President Manuel Zelaya from office in June 2009. The Liberal (PL) and National (PN) partiesParties have been Honduras’ two dominant political parties since the military relinquished political control in 1982. Both have traditionally been based around patron-client networks and there appear to be few ideological differences between them. Both parties have generally been considered to be ideologically centerright; however, the PL is heterogeneous and includes some center-left factions. 1 1 Honduras: A Country Study, ed. Tim L. Merrill, 3rd ed. (Washington, DC: Library of Congress, Federal Research Division, 1995). Congressional Research Service 2 Honduran-U.S. Relations Manuel Zelaya of the PL was elected president in November 2005, narrowly defeating the PN’s Porfirio Lobo. As a wealthy landowner who founded a somewhat left-leaningcenter-left faction within the PL, Zelaya was regarded as a moderate when he was inaugurated to a four-year term in January 2006.2 As his term progressed, however, Zelaya advanced a number of populist policies, including a 60% increase in the minimum wage in December 2008.3 Zelaya also forged closer relations with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, joining initiatives such as PetroCaribe, which provides oil at preferential discounted rates, and the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas ( (Alternativa Bolivariana para las Américas, ALBA), a socially oriented trade block. 4 Although Zelaya’s populist policies allowed him to maintain considerablehelped him maintain support among certain sectors of Honduran society, they alienated many within the traditional economic and political elite. Likewise, his Administration’s administration’s inability to achieve concrete results on a number of issues of importance—such as poverty and violent violent crime—significantly weakened his public standing.5 Political Crisis6 Detention and Expulsion of Zelaya On June 28, 2009, the Honduran military detained President Zelaya and flew him to forced exile in Costa Rica. The ouster followed several months of political polarization between Honduran governmental institutions resulting from Zelaya’s intention to hold a non-binding referendum and eventually amend the constitution. After the military deposed the President, the Honduran Supreme Court7 asserted that an arrest warrant had been issued for Zelaya as a result of his noncompliance with judicial decisions that had declared the non-binding referendum unconstitutional. However, the military’s actions halted the judicial process before a trial could be held.8 The Honduran National Congress then adopted a resolution to replace Zelaya with the PL President of Congress, Roberto Micheletti.9 The United States and the rest of the international community universally condemned Zelaya’s ouster and called for his return. They leveled a series of diplomatic and economic sanctions 2 While Zelaya insisted that the non-binding referendum was nothing more than an opinion poll to consult the Honduran populace on the possibility of voting to convene a constituent assembly,7 others in Honduras viewed it as an unconstitutional attempt to perpetuate himself in power.8 In the aftermath of Zelaya’s expulsion, the Honduran Supreme Court9 produced documents asserting that an arrest warrant for President Zelaya had been issued in secrecy on June 26, 2009, as a result of his noncompliance with judicial rulings suspending all activities related to the non-binding referendum. 10 Likewise, the Honduran National Congress ratified the ouster by accepting an alleged letter of resignation, which Zelaya declared 2 “People Profile: Manuel ‘Mel’ Zelaya,” Latin News Daily, November 15, 2005; “Manuel Zelaya to headHead Honduras and redefine hisRedefine His Party,” Latin America Data Base, NotiCen, December 15, 2005; “Country Profile: Honduras,” Economist Intelligence Unit, November 14, 2006. 3 “Elevan a L.5,500 el Salario Mínimo en Honduras,” El Heraldo (Honduras), NotiCen, December 15, 2005. 3 The minimum wage decree—which did not affect the maquila sector’s monthly minimum wage that fluctuates between 6,000 and 7,000 Lempiras ($318-$370)—increased the rural monthly minimum wage to 4,055 Lempiras ($215) and the urban monthly minimum wage to 5,500 Lempiras ($291). Calculations are based on an exchange rate of $1 U.S. dollar to 18.9 Honduran lempiras. “Elevan a L.5,500 el salario mínimo en Honduras,” El Heraldo (Honduras), December 24, 2008. 4 It should be noted that the National Congress ratified Honduras’ entrance into both PetroCaribe and ALBA. “Honduras: Congress signs up to PetrocaribeSigns Up to PetroCaribe” Latin American Caribbean & Central America Report, March 2008; “Honduras: Congress approves Alba, with caveatsApproves Alba, With Caveats,” Latin American Caribbean & Central America Report, October 2008. 5 Mica Rosenberg, “Protests erupt, gunshots heard after Honduras coupErupt, Gunshots Heard After Honduras Coup,” Reuters, June 28, 2009. 6 For a more detailed examination of the Honduran political crisis, see CRS Report R41064, Honduran Political Crisis, June 2009-January 2010. 7 The U.S. Department of State’s 2009non-binding referendum would have asked Hondurans, “Do you agree that in the general elections of 2009, a fourth ballot box should be installed in which the people decide on the convocation of a National Constituent Assembly?” “Llegó el Día de Verdad,” El Tiempo (Honduras), June 28, 2009. 8 “Honduras: Fiscalía Dice Zelaya No Puede Llamar a Consulta Popular,” Associated Press, March 25, 2009. 9 The U.S. State Department’s 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices states that “although the constitution constitution and the law provide for an independent judiciary,” the Honduran judicial system has beenis “subject to patronage, corruption, and political influence.” 810 Poder Judicial de Honduras, “Expediente Judicial Relación Documentada Caso Zelaya Rosales,” available at http://www.poderjudicial.gob.hn/. 9 “El decreto de la separación de Zelaya,” El Heraldo (Honduras), June 28, 2009. Congressional Research Service 3 Honduran-U.S. Relations against the Micheletti government and pushed for a negotiated agreement to end the crisis. Although Zelaya clandestinely returned to Honduras in September 2009, he was never restored to office and was forced to remain in the Brazilian embassy—where he had taken refuge—until January 27, 2010, when newly inaugurated President Porfirio Lobo granted him safe passage to the Dominican Republic.10 Micheletti Government Micheletti insisted that he took office through a “constitutional succession” throughout the seven months between Zelaya’s forced removal and the inauguration of President Lobo.11 While in power, Micheletti and the Honduran National Congress passed a 2009 budget and annulled more than a dozen decrees and reforms approved under Zelaya, including Honduras’ accession to ALBA.12 Prior to adjourning in mid-January 2010, the Honduran National Congress named Micheletti a “deputy-for-life,” and offered life-long security to Micheletti and some 50 other Honduran officials involved in his government or the ouster of Zelaya.13 Although Micheletti received substantial support from some sectors of Honduran society, an October 2009 poll found that just 36% of Hondurans approved of Micheletti’s job in office and 59% believed he rarely or never did what was in the interest of the Honduran people. The same poll found that 42% of Hondurans recognized Zelaya as president, while 36% recognized Micheletti.14 During his government, Micheletti maintained tight control of Honduran society, severely restricting the political opposition. On the day of Zelaya’s ouster, security forces patrolled the streets; a curfew was put in place and a number of local and international television and radio stations were shut down or intimidated. 15 Over the next several months, the Micheletti government periodically implemented curfews—often with little or no prior notification—and issued decrees restricting civil liberties.16 The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), asserts that during the Micheletti government, serious violations of human rights occurred, including “deaths, an arbitrary declaration of a state of emergency, suppression of public demonstrations through disproportionate use of force, criminalization of public protest, arbitrary detentions of thousands of persons, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and grossly inadequate conditions of detention, militarization of Honduran territory, a surge in incidents of racial discrimination, violations of women’s rights, serious and arbitrary restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, and grave violations of political rights.”17 10 “Zelaya deja Honduras tras 4 meses en la Embajada de Brasil,” EFE News Service, January 27, 2010. Roberto Micheletti, “Moving Forward in Honduras,” Washington Post, September 22, 2009. 12 “Honduras: Micheletti prepares to leave on high note,” Latin News Weekly Report, January 21, 2010. 13 “Congreso de Honduras designa a Micheletti ‘diputado vitalicio,’” Agence France Presse, January 13, 2010; “Más de 50 funcionarios gozarán de seguridad vitalicia,” El Tiempo (Honduras), January 15, 2010. 14 “Hondureños ven solución en presidente alternativo y elecciones, según sondeo,” EFE News Service, October 27, 2009; “Honduras: 42% reconoce a Zelaya como presidente, 36% a Micheletti (encuesta),” Agence France Presse, October 28, 2009. 15 “Honduras: Decretan toque de queda por 48 horas,” La Prensa (Honduras), June 28, 2009; “Honduras: Media Blackout, Protests Reported,” Stratfor, June 29, 2009. 16 “Honduras suspende derechos constitucionales durante toque queda,” Reuters, July 1, 2009; Amnesty International, “Honduras: human rights crisis threatens as repression increases,” August 2009. 17 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Honduras: Human Rights and the Coup D'état, Organization of American States, OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 55, December 30, 2009. 11 Congressional Research Service 4 Honduran-U.S. Relations November 2009 Elections Results On November 29, 2009, Honduras held general elections to fill nearly 3,000 posts nationwide, including the presidency and all 128 seats in the unicameral National Congress.18 http://www.poderjudicial.gob.hn/. Congressional Research Service 3 Honduran-U.S. Relations fraudulent,11 and passing a decree that disapproved of Zelaya’s conduct, removed him from office, and named the head of Congress, Roberto Micheletti, as the president of Honduras for the remainder of Zelaya’s term. 12 The legality of Zelaya’s removal has been heavily debated; however, most legal and political analysts—including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission appointed to investigate the ouster—have declared Zelaya’s removal a “coup d’état.”13 They assert that although Zelaya disobeyed judicial rulings by attempting to carry out the non-binding referendum, the Honduran military denied the president due process by expelling him from the country. Additionally, they maintain that the Honduran National Congress did not have any legal authority to remove Zelaya from office, and the interim government of Roberto Micheletti was therefore unconstitutional. Micheletti Government Contrary to the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Roberto Micheletti has insisted that he took office through a “constitutional succession.”14 While in power, Micheletti and the Honduran National Congress passed a 2009 budget that severely reduced government expenditures, and enacted measures that annulled more than a dozen decrees and reforms approved under Zelaya, including Honduras’ accession to ALBA. 15 Micheletti also maintained tight control of Honduran society, severely restricting the political opposition. On the day of Zelaya’s ouster, security forces patrolled the streets, a curfew was put in place, and a number of local and international television and radio stations were shut down or intimidated.16 Over the next several months, the Micheletti government periodically implemented curfews—often with little or no prior notification—and issued decrees restricting civil liberties. 17 The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), asserts that during the Micheletti government, serious violations of human rights occurred, including “deaths, an arbitrary declaration of a state of emergency, suppression of public demonstrations through disproportionate use of force, criminalization of public protest, arbitrary detentions of thousands of persons, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and grossly inadequate conditions of detention, militarization of Honduran territory, a surge in incidents of racial discrimination, violations of women’s rights, serious and 11 “Zelaya Ofrece Conferencia en Costa Rica,” La Prensa (Honduras), June 28, 2009. “El Decreto de la Separación de Zelaya,” El Heraldo (Honduras), June 28, 2009. 13 See, for example, Edmundo Orellana, “El 28 de Junio y la Constitución,” La Tribuna (Honduras), August 1, 2009; Tim Johnson, “All Parties Broke Law in Honduras Coup, Envoy Wrote,” McClatchy Newspapers, November 28, 2010; and Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación (CVR), Para que los Hechos No se Repitan: Informe de la Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación, San José, Costa Rica, July 2011, http://www.cvr.hn/home/noticias/hojas-de-prensa/paraque-los-hechos-no-se-repitan-informe-de-la-comision-de-la-verdad-y-la-reconciliacion-cvr/. 14 Roberto Micheletti, “Moving Forward in Honduras,” Washington Post, September 22, 2009; Testimony of Roberto Micheletti, before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, June 14, 2011. 15 “Honduras: Micheletti Prepares to Leave on High Note,” Latin News Weekly Report, January 21, 2010. 12 16 “Honduras: Decretan Toque de Queda por 48 Horas,” La Prensa (Honduras), June 28, 2009; “Honduras: Media Blackout, Protests Reported,” STRATFOR, June 29, 2009. 17 “Honduras Suspende Derechos Constitucionales Durante Toque Queda,” Reuters, July 1, 2009; Amnesty International, “Honduras: Human Rights Crisis Threatens as Repression Increases,” August 2009. Congressional Research Service 4 Honduran-U.S. Relations arbitrary restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, and grave violations of political rights.”18 Although some sectors of Honduran society strongly supported Micheletti, a December 2010 poll found that 64% of Hondurans considered Zelaya’s expulsion a coup d’état, and nearly 59% thought Micheletti should be put on trial.19 November 2009 Elections On November 29, 2009, Honduras held general elections to fill nearly 3,000 posts nationwide, including the presidency and all 128 seats in the unicameral National Congress.20 Former President of Congress and 2005 National Party (PN) presidential nominee Porfirio Lobo easily defeated his closest rival, former Vice President Elvin Santos of the Liberal Party (PL), 56.6% to 38.1%. Three minor party candidates won a combined 5.3% of the presidential vote. 1921 Lobo’s PN also won an absolute majority in the unicameral National Congress, with 71 of the 128 seats (see Figure 2 for the change in the legislative balance of power). . The election was a major defeat for the PL, which has traditionally had the broadest base of support in Honduras. On top of its poor presidential showing, it won just 45 seats in Congress, down from 62 in 2005.20 According to (see Figure 2 below for the change in the legislative balance of power).22 According to some analysts, many Hondurans held the PL responsible for the country’s political crisis as a result of Zelaya and Micheletti both belonging to the party. Likewise, traditional PL supporters supporters were divided over the ouster, leading many from the Zelaya-allied faction to stay home on election day.21 Figure 2. Party Affiliation in the Unicameral Honduran National Congress (2005 and 2009 Election Results) Source: CRS Graphics. 18 “Elecciones, incierto antídoto contra la crisis socio política,” El Tiempo (Honduras), August 31, 2009. “TSE confirma el triunfo de ‘Pepe’ en las elecciones,” El Heraldo (Honduras), December 21, 2009. 20 “Final results in Honduras,” Latin News Daily, December 22, 2009. 19 21 Noé Leiva, “El Partido Liberal de Zelaya, el gran perdedor de los comicios hondureños,” Agence France Presse, November 30, 2009; “Partido Liberal sacrificó el poder para salvar democracia,” La Tribuna (Honduras), December 3, 2009. Congressional Research Service 5 Honduran-U.S. Relations Legitimacy There has been considerable debate—both in Honduras and the international community— concerning the legitimacy of the November 2009 elections. Supporters of the elections note that the electoral process was initiated, and the members of the autonomous Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) were chosen, prior to Zelaya’s ouster. They also note that the candidates were selected in internationally observed primary elections in November 2008,22 and that election day was largely23 free of political violence. 24 Nonetheless, some Hondurans and international observers have argued that the Micheletti government’s suppression of opposition media and demonstrators prevented a fair electoral campaign from taking place. This led to election boycotts and a number of left-leaning candidates for a variety of offices withdrawing from the elections, including an independent presidential candidate and some incumbent Members of Congress.25 It also led organizations that traditionally observe elections in the hemisphere, such as the OAS, the EU, and the Carter Center, to cancel their electoral observation missions.26 Critics of the elections also on election day.23 There has been considerable debate—both in Honduras and the international community— concerning the legitimacy of the November 2009 elections as a result of them being held under the Micheletti government. Supporters of the elections note that the electoral process was initiated, and the members of the autonomous Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) were chosen, prior to Zelaya’s ouster. They also note that the candidates were selected in internationally observed primary elections in November 2008,24 and that election day was largely25 free of 18 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Honduras: Human Rights and the Coup D'état, Organization of American States, OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 55, December 30, 2009. 19 Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas, Instituto Universitario de Opinion Publica (IUDOP), Los Hondureños y Hondureñas Opinan Sobre la Situación Política y Evalúan el Primer Año de Gestión de Porfirio Lobo, Boletín de Prensa, Año XXV, No.1, San Salvador, January 19, 2011. 20 “Elecciones, Incierto Antídoto Contra la Crisis Socio Política,” El Tiempo (Honduras), August 31, 2009. 21 “TSE Confirma el Triunfo de ‘Pepe’ en las Elecciones,” El Heraldo (Honduras), December 21, 2009. 22 “Final Results in Honduras,” Latin News Daily, December 22, 2009. 23 Noé Leiva, “El Partido Liberal de Zelaya, el Gran Perdedor de los Comicios Hondureños,” Agence France Presse, November 30, 2009; “Partido Liberal Sacrificó el Poder para Salvar Democracia,” La Tribuna (Honduras), December 3, 2009. 24 Former Vice President Elvin Santos, although originally ruled constitutionally ineligible to run by the TSE, became the PL presidential nominee following a series of events that included congressional passage of a special decree and a 52%-32% primary victory by his stand-in-candidate, Mauricio Villeda, over then President of Congress, Roberto Micheletti. “Honduras’ Vice President Regains the Right to Run; Elvin Santos is Partido Liberal Presidential Candidate,” Latin America Data Base, NotiCen, March 5, 2009. 25 A demonstration in San Pedro Sula by those opposed to the government of Roberto Micheletti was forcefully dispersed on election day. “Police Fire Tear Gas on Honduras Poll Protesters,” Agence France Presse, November 29, 2009. Congressional Research Service 5 Honduran-U.S. Relations political violence.26 Nonetheless, some Hondurans and international observers have argued that the Micheletti government’s suppression of opposition media and demonstrators prevented a fair electoral campaign from taking place. This led to election boycotts and a number of left-leaning candidates for a variety of offices withdrawing from the elections.27 It also led organizations that traditionally observe elections in the hemisphere, such as the OAS, the European Union (EU), and the Carter Center, to cancel their electoral observation missions.28 Critics of the elections also assert that the electoral turnout, which was just under 50% (five points lower than 2005), demonstrated a rejection of the elections by the Honduran people. Supporters of the elections counter this assertion by arguing that Lobo won more absolute votes in 2009 than Zelaya did in 2005, and that the electoral rolls are artificially inflated—distorting the turnout rate—as a result of Honduras not purging the rolls of those who have died or migrated abroad.27 Although a growing number of Hondurans and members of the international community have recognized Lobo as the legitimate President of Honduras, some have refused to do so. 28 22 Former Vice President Elvin Santos, although originally ruled constitutionally ineligible to run by the TSE, became the PL presidential nominee following a series of events that included congressional passage of a special decree and a 52%-32% primary victory by his stand-in-candidate, Mauricio Villeda, over then President of Congress, Roberto Micheletti. “Honduras’ Vice President Regains the Right to Run; Elvin Santos is Partido Liberal Presidential Candidate,” Latin America Data Base NotiCen, March 5, 2009. 23 A demonstration in San Pedro Sula by those opposed to the government of Roberto Micheletti was forcefully dispersed on election day. “Police fire tear gas on Honduras poll protesters,” Agence France Presse, November 29, 2009. 2429 Figure 2. Party Affiliation in the Unicameral Honduran National Congress (2005 and 2009 Election Results) Source: CRS. 26 José Saúl Escobar Andrade, Enrique Ortez Sequeira, and David Andrés Matamoros Batso, “Honduran Elections,” Remarks at the Inter-American Dialogue, Washington, DC, October 22, 2009; International Republican Institute, “Hondurans Turn Out to Polls in Credible Elections: IRI’s Preliminary Statement on Honduras’ 2009 National Elections,” November 30, 2009. 2527 “Seguidores de Zelaya no particparán en elecciones aunque haya restituciónNo Particparán en Elecciones Aunque Haya Restitución,” EFE News Service, November 8, 2009; “Renuncian importantes dirigentes del liberalismoImportantes Dirigentes del Liberalismo,” El Tiempo (Honduras), November 22, 2009; “Zelayistas dicen que hay incongruencias en la UD,” El Tiempo (Honduras), November 23, 2009. 26. 28 Gustavo Palencia, “Honduras busca convencer observadores para cuestionada elecciónBusca Convencer Observadores para Cuestionada Elección,” Reuters, November 12, 2009; “La CE dice que no hay tiempo para una misión electoral y envía dos expertosDice que No Hay Tiempo para una Misión Electoral y Envía Dos Expertos,” EFE News Service, November November 11, 2009. 2729 “Honduras: Tug of War Between Opposition and De Facto Regime Regarding Flow of Voters,” Latin America Data Base, NotiCen, December 3, 2009; “Final resultsResults in Honduras,” Latin News Daily, December 22, 2009. 28 Frente Nacional de Resistencia Contra el Golpe de Estado, “Comunicado No. 41,” November 30, 2009; “El Mercosur anuncia ‘pleno desconocimiento’ de nuevo gobierno de Honduras,” EFE News Service, December 8, 2009. Congressional Research Service 6 Honduran-U.S. Relations Challenges for the Lobo Administration One yearA year and a half after his inauguration to a four-year term, President Lobo continues to face daunting daunting challenges stemming from Honduras’ seven-month political crisis. Several effortsEfforts to foster political reconciliation, including the creation of a truth commission and, the passage of a measure to enable constitutional reform, have done little to lesson domestic polarization. There has also political reform measure, and an agreement to allow former President Zelaya to return to the country have produced mixed results. Although these reconciliation efforts have won support from the international community, they have done little to reduce domestic polarization. Moreover, there has been little improvement in the country’s poor human rights situation. Murders of journalists, political activists, and human rights defenders have continued and law enforcement officials have proven unwilling or unable to bring those responsible to justice. Moreover, efforts to reintegrate Honduras into the international system have been unsuccessful in winning formal recognition from a number of Latin American nations. Additional challenges for the Lobo Administration include fostering economic development and improving citizen security. As one of the poorest counties in the hemisphere, Honduras has long struggled to improve economic growth and reduce social disparities. The poor security situation—with high rates of violent crime, increasing flows of narcotics, and low levels of confidence in public institutions—is another long-running problem that previous governments have struggled to tackle Lobo’s popularity has also suffered as a result of the public’s perception that the government has made little progress in addressing issues of importance such as unemployment and the deteriorating security situation. While the strength of Lobo’s National Party in the legislature has enabled the government to secure passage of several policies designed to address these issues, there have beenHondurans have seen few improvements thus far (see “Economic and Social Conditions” and “Crime, Violence, and Drug Trafficking” below). In June 2011, Hondurans were split in their opinions of President Lobo with 45% approving and 44% disapproving of his performance in office.30 Political Reconciliation President Lobo has taken a number of steps to ease the political polarization in Honduras, but still faces significant challenges. Upon taking office in late January 2010, Lobo arranged safe passage out of the country for former President ZelayaZelaya31 and immediately signed a bill providing political amnesty to Zelaya and those who removed him from office. The amnesty covers political and common crimes committed prior to and after the removal of President Zelaya, but does not include acts of corruption or violations of human rights.2932 President Lobo also appointed a national unity cabinet with representatives of each of the five official political parties—including the small left-wing Democratic Unification Party (UD)—, and pledged to engage in dialogue with all sectors of Honduran society. Since then, Lobo has established a truth commission to investigate the events surrounding the 2009 ouster, pushed for a measure passed a constitutional reform to grant greater power to citizen initiatives, and sought to clear the way for Zelaya to return to Honduras. Zelaya has insisted that he will not return to Honduras until the corruption charge against him, which he maintains is politically-motivated, is dropped.30 Truth Commission In April 2010, President Lobo established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) to investigate the events before and after the ouster of President Zelaya and to make 29 “Lobo secures exit from Honduras for Zelaya,” Latin News Daily, January 21, 2010; “Congreso aprueba amnistía para delitos políticos comunes conexos,” El Tiempo (Honduras), January 27, 2010. 30 “Zelaya promises to return with a bang,” Latin News Weekly Report, January 6, 2011. Congressional Research Service 7 Honduran-U.S. Relations recommendations so that these events will not be repeated. 31 The CVR officially began its work on May 4, 2010 and is expected to present a report in March 2011.32 Led by former Guatemalan Vice President Eduardo Stein, the CVR has two additional international representatives, Canadian diplomat Michael Kergin and former Peruvian judicial official María Amadilia Zavala Valladares. The two Honduran representatives on the commission are Julieta Castellas, the rector of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), and Jorge Omar Casco, the former rector of UNAH. Reflecting the ongoing political polarization in Honduras, the CVR has been criticized by both the right and the left. Critics on the right fear that the commission could be used as a means to promote the constitutional reforms that former President Zelaya proposed in the lead up to the country’s political crisis. In June 2010, President Lobo even suggested that some extremist elements on the right were plotting to overthrow him as a result of his reconciliation efforts.33 Human rights groups criticized President Lobo for establishing the CVR on his own without consultation with civil society groups. Likewise, the National Popular Resistance Front 34 (FNRP, Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular)—an umbrella group of those who were opposed to Zelaya’s removal—views the CVR as an attempt to “whitewash” the ouster. As a result, Zelaya called on officials from his government not to cooperate with the CVR and the FNRP established an alternative truth commission composed of human rights advocates such as Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Rigoberta Menchu of Guatemala and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel of Argentina.35 Constitutional Reform Much like the truth commission, Lobo’s attempt to initiate political reforms has largely failed to reduce polarization. As noted above, President Zelaya was pushing for reforms to the constitution at the time of his ouster. Supporters of Zelaya’s effort maintained that reforms were necessary because the country had changed significantly since the constitution was completed in 1982 by a constituent assembly elected under the military government. Those who opposed the effort accused Zelaya of wanting to perpetuate himself in power. Since Zelaya’s removal, the FNRP has continued to push for a new constituent assembly to draft a new constitution and provide greater rights to traditionally excluded sectors of the Honduran population. It claims to have gathered over 1.3 million signatures in support of its initiative, which—if verified—would surpass the number of votes received by Lobo in November 2009.36 31 Honduras, Presidencia de la República, Decreto Ejecutivo Número PCM-011-2010. Thelma Mejía, “Honduras: Lobo reprueba primer año,” Inter Press Service, January 28, 2011. 33 Germán Reyes, “Lobo pide no temer a Comisión de Verdad y avala consulta para constituyente,” Agencia EFE, May 4, 2010; “Presidente hondureño insinúa que se está gestando otro golpe de Estado,” Agence France Presse, June 8, 2010. 34 The FNRP initially was formed after Zelaya’s ouster as the National Resistance Front Against the Coup d’état. Nominally coordinated by Zelaya from exile, the FNRP is led by an executive committee representative of the movement’s composite parts, which include labor unions, worker and campesino organizations, human rights advocates, the Zelaya-allied faction of the Liberal Party, and other civil society groups. 35 “Zelaya Calls on Former Officials Not to Collaborate with Truth Commission,” ACAN-EFE, June 8, 2010; “Honduran resistance sets up alternative commission,” Latin News Weekly Report, July 1, 2010. 36 “Hondureños reclaman en las calles una Constituyente en del Día del Trabajdor,” Agence France Presse, May 1, 2010; Frente Nacional De Resistencia Popular, “Comunicado No.74: Avanzamos seguros hacia la Constituyente,” September 17, 2010. 32 Congressional Research Service 8 Honduran-U.S. Relations President Lobo, who never ruled out the idea of abstract constitutional changes as a candidate, called for a national dialogue to discuss potential political reforms in October 2010. After consulting with each of the political parties and various sectors of Honduran society, Lobo proposed a measure that would grant greater power to citizen initiatives. It would amend the constitutional provisions governing referendums and plebiscites to allow such citizen initiatives to address “issues of fundamental importance to national life,” potentially including constitutional changes. Lobo’s proposal was approved on January 13, 2011, but needs to be passed again during the new session of Congress that began on January 25, 2011, in order to take effect. Although some members of the FNRP that are linked to the Zelaya faction of the Liberal Party have been willing to engage in dialogue with Lobo about the proposed reforms, the more hard-line sectors of the FNRP have refused to do so and maintain that anything less than a national constituent assembly to draft a new constitution is insufficient.37 Human Rights Another key challenge for the Lobo government is curtailing the increase in human rights violations that has occurred since the forced removal of President Zelaya. In March 2010, the U.S. State Department released its 2009 human rights report on Honduras. The report details numerous human rights violations that occurred in the aftermath of the ouster, including “unlawful killings by members of the police and government agents,” “arbitrary and summary killings committed by vigilantes and former members of the security forces,” and “arbitrary detention and disproportionate use of force by security forces.”38 citizen initiatives, and forged an agreement with former President Zelaya to facilitate his return to Honduras. Truth Commission In April 2010, President Lobo established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación, CVR) to investigate the events surrounding the ouster of President Zelaya and to make recommendations to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.33 The creation of a truth commission had previously been agreed to by Zelaya and Micheletti as 30 “8 de 10 Creen que País Va por Rumbo Equivocado,” La Prensa (Honduras), June 28, 2011. Zelaya had clandestinely returned to Honduras in September 2009, but was unable to leave the Brazilian Embassy where he had taken refuge. 32 “Lobo Secures Exit from Honduras for Zelaya,” Latin News Daily, January 21, 2010; “Congreso Aprueba Amnistía para Delitos Políticos Comunes Conexos,” El Tiempo (Honduras), January 27, 2010. 33 Honduras, Presidencia de la República, Decreto Ejecutivo Número PCM-011-2010. 31 Congressional Research Service 7 Honduran-U.S. Relations part of the Tegucigalpa-San José Accord, which they signed in late October 2009 in a failed attempt to end the political crisis. Although the accord fell apart almost immediately, Lobo has implemented several of its provisions since taking office as part of his efforts to facilitate political reconciliation. The five-member CVR was led by former Guatemalan Vice President Eduardo Stein, and included two Hondurans and two additional international representatives. 34 It officially began its work in May 2010. Reflecting the political polarization in Honduras, the CVR was immediately criticized by both the right and the left. Critics on the right feared that the CVR could be used as a means to promote the constitutional reforms that former President Zelaya proposed in the lead up to the country’s political crisis. In June 2010, President Lobo even suggested that some extremist elements on the right were plotting to overthrow him as a result of his reconciliation efforts.35 Human rights groups criticized President Lobo for establishing the CVR on his own without consultation with civil society groups. Likewise, the leftist National Popular Resistance Front 36 (Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular, FNRP)—an umbrella group of those who were opposed to Zelaya’s removal—viewed the CVR as an attempt to “whitewash” the ouster. As a result, Zelaya called on officials from his government not to cooperate with the CVR and the FNRP established an alternative truth commission. 37 On July 7, 2011, the CVR issued its final report. Among other findings, the report asserts (1) Zelaya refused to recognize or obey orders from the judicial branch and other governmental institutions to halt activities related to the proposed non-binding referendum; (2) the Honduran military partially acted on a judicial order in detaining Zelaya but the high command’s decision to force the president into exile violated due process and thus amounted to a coup d’état; (3) the Honduran National Congress had no power to remove President Zelaya or name a substitute and therefore the government of Roberto Micheletti was illegal; (4) there is no reliable evidence that President Zelaya intended to dissolve Congress, remain in office, or directly install a national constituent assembly after holding the non-binding referendum; (5) the November 2009 elections were legitimate; and (6) members of the Honduran military and police killed at least 12 citizens as a result of the disproportionate use of force to suppress political demonstrations during the Micheletti government. The CVR’s report also provides a wide variety of recommendations to avoid similar crises in the future. These include reforming the constitution to establish clear impeachment procedures and investigating, processing, and punishing those responsible for the human rights abuses that took place in the aftermath of the ouster.38 34 The other members of the CVR were Canadian diplomat Michael Kergin; former Peruvian judicial official María Amadilia Zavala Valladares; Julieta Castellas, the rector of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH); and Jorge Omar Casco, the former rector of UNAH. 35 Germán Reyes, “Lobo Pide No Temer a Comisión de Verdad y Avala Consulta para Constituyente,” Agencia EFE, May 4, 2010; “Presidente Hondureño Insinúa que se está Gestando Otro Golpe de Estado,” Agence France Presse, June 8, 2010. 36 The FNRP initially was formed after Zelaya’s ouster as the National Resistance Front Against the Coup d’état. Zelaya serves as the General Coordinator of the FNRP, which also includes an executive committee representative of the movement’s composite parts: labor unions, worker and campesino organizations, human rights advocates, the Zelaya-allied faction of the Liberal Party, and other civil society groups. 37 “Zelaya Calls on Former Officials Not to Collaborate with Truth Commission,” ACAN-EFE, June 8, 2010; “Honduran Resistance Sets Up Alternative Commission,” Latin News Weekly Report, July 1, 2010. 38 Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación (CVR), Para que los Hechos No se Repitan: Informe de la Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación, San José, Costa Rica, July 2011, http://www.cvr.hn/home/noticias/hojas-de-prensa/paraque-los-hechos-no-se-repitan-informe-de-la-comision-de-la-verdad-y-la-reconciliacion-cvr/. Congressional Research Service 8 Honduran-U.S. Relations Constitutional Reform As noted above, President Zelaya was advocating constitutional reform at the time of his ouster. Zelaya, the FNRP, and others maintain that the current constitution, which was written in 1982 by a constituent assembly elected under the military government, reinforces political and economic exclusion of the majority of the Honduran population. They believe the only way to overcome this exclusion is to convene a democratic and inclusive constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. 39 The FNRP claims to have gathered over 1.3 million signatures in support of such an assembly, which—if verified—would surpass the number of votes received by Lobo in November 2009.40 President Lobo, who never ruled out the idea of abstract constitutional changes as a candidate, called for a national dialogue to discuss potential political, economic, and social reforms in October 2010. After consulting with each of the political parties and various sectors of Honduran society, Lobo proposed a measure that would grant greater power to citizen initiatives. The proposal, which was approved by the Honduran National Congress in February 2011, amended the constitutional provisions governing referendums and plebiscites to allow such citizen initiatives to address “issues of fundamental importance to national life,” potentially including changes to the currently unalterable portions of the constitution. 41 Lobo held another dialogue in July 2011, in which he invited representatives from the five officially recognized political parties and seven parties in the process of formation to suggest constitutional reforms. After holding similar discussions with unions, business federations, and other civil society organizations, Lobo intends to suggest potential reforms to the National Congress. 42 Much like the truth commission, Lobo’s efforts around the issue of constitutional reform have largely failed to reduce polarization. The FNRP and others think the changes made thus far are insufficient. They note that any reforms suggested through citizen initiatives or Lobo’s national dialogue would need to be approved by the National Congress, an institution they believe represents entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo. Consequently, they have continued to push for a constituent assembly capable of drafting a new constitution.43 On the other hand, conservative elements within the traditional parties and civil society have reacted to Lobo’s efforts with suspicion. While conceding that abstract changes may be necessary, they are opposed to the idea of convoking a constituent assembly or any attempt to change the unalterable portions of the constitution. They also have accused Lobo of seeking reelection and catering to small radical groups instead of addressing real issues of national importance.44 39 “Rafael Alegría: Queremos Constituyente Democrática y Popular,” La Tribuna (Honduras), July 4, 2011. “Hondureños Reclaman en las Calles una Constituyente en el Día del Trabajdor,” Agence France Presse, May 1, 2010; Frente Nacional De Resistencia Popular, “Comunicado No.74: Avanzamos Seguros Hacia la Constituyente,” September 17, 2010. 41 “Honduras Congress Approves Referendums,” Latin News Daily, February 18, 2011. 40 42 Pedro Membreño, “Reformas Políticas Deben Proponerse este Año,” El Heraldo (Honduras), July 5, 2011; Francisco Rodriguez, “Dirigentes Políticos Coinciden en Reformas Constitucionales,” El Tiempo (Honduras), July 9, 2011. 43 “Honduras: Constitutional Change Tests Opposition Unity,” Oxford Analytica, February 14, 2011; “Rafael Alegría: Queremos Constituyente Democrática y Popular,” La Tribuna (Honduras), July 4, 2011; Frente Amplio de Resistencia Popular, “Posicionamiento Frente Amplio de Resistencia Popular,” July 9, 2011. 44 Unión Cívica Democrática, “Posición de la Unión Cívica Democrática Relacionada con la Reforma del Articulo 5 de la Constitución de la República,” November 11, 2010; “Anduray Postula Movimiento para Defender Constitución,” La Tribuna (Honduras), June 13, 2011; “‘Lobo y Hernández Gastan 2,000 Millones en Política’,” La Prensa (Honduras), July 11, 2011. Congressional Research Service 9 Honduran-U.S. Relations Return of Zelaya Following Lobo’s inauguration, domestic groups like the FNRP and a number of countries called on the president to create the conditions necessary to allow former President Zelaya to return to Honduras. Lobo encouraged Zelaya to return from exile but insisted that the former president would have to stand trial for the charges that were brought against him following his ouster, including fraud, falsification of public documents, and embezzlement of $2.95 million from the presidency and the Honduran Fund for Social Investment. Zelaya insisted that the charges were politically motivated and refused to return until they were dropped. On May 2, 2011, the Honduran court of appeals voted 2-1 to annul the criminal charges against Zelaya due to procedural irregularities.45 With criminal charges out of the way, former President Zelaya entered into a dialogue with President Lobo that was mediated by President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and President Manuel Santos of Colombia. On May 22, 2011, Lobo and Zelaya signed the “Accord for National Reconciliation and the Consolidation of the Democratic System in Honduras.” Among other provisions, the Accord (1) guarantees the right of Zelaya and his exiled supporters to return to political life in Honduras; (2) reaffirms that the Honduran government has an obligation to protect human rights; (3) ensures that the FNRP can register as a political party; and (4) reiterates that the recent reforms to the Honduran constitution guarantee citizens’ rights to seek national plebiscites on issues of fundamental importance. 46 Former President Zelaya returned to Honduras on May 28, 2011, and immediately reentered politics. The FNRP, which had previously named Zelaya its general coordinator, voted to create a political party—the Broad Front of Popular Resistance (Frente Amplio de Resistencia Popular, FARP)—to contest the 2013 elections. Zelaya hopes to unite members of the FNRP, his supporters in the PL, and others who opposed his ouster under the FARP banner. 47 It remains unclear how much popular support the new political party will be able to attract. While the majority of the delegates at the FNRP assembly supported the creation of the FARP, some sectors are opposed to pursuing electoral politics.48 At the same time, many of the top PL officials that previously supported Zelaya and/or opposed his ouster have decided not to follow him into the FARP.49 On the other hand, over 80% of Hondurans have little or no faith in the existing political parties, 50 and Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, the former president’s wife and a potential candidate for the presidency in 2013, has the second-highest favorability ratings in the country among public figures. 51 45 “Zelaya Free to Roam,” Latin News Daily, May 3, 2011; “Honduras: Zelaya Ruling Removes Final Hurdle – Or Does It?” Latin American Weekly Report, May 5, 2011 46 “Acuerdo para la Reconciliación Nacional y la Consolidación del Sistema Democrático en la República de Honduras,” La Tribuna (Honduras), May 23, 2011. 47 Noé Leiva, “Zelayistas Forman ‘Frente Amplio’ para Elecciones de 2013,” Agence France Presse, June 26, 2011. 48 Todd Gordon and Jeffrey R. Webber, “The Different Logics within the Honduran Resistance: An Interview with Bertha Cáceres,” Upside Down World, June 27, 2011. 49 “Liberales en Resistencia se Quedan en el PL,” La Tribuna (Honduras), June 28, 2011; “Honduras: Liberales en Resistencia Prefieren PL,” El Heraldo (Honduras), June 29, 2011. 50 Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas, Instituto Universitario de Opinion Publica (IUDOP), Los Hondureños y Hondureñas Opinan Sobre la Situación Política y Evalúan el Primer Año de Gestión de Porfirio Lobo, Boletín de Prensa, Año XXV, No.1, San Salvador, January 19, 2011. 51 “Empatados a 35% Nacionalistas y Liberales,” La Prensa (Honduras), June 28, 2011. Congressional Research Service 10 Honduran-U.S. Relations Human Rights Another key challenge for the Lobo government is curtailing the increase in human rights violations that has occurred since the forced expulsion of President Zelaya. In March 2010, the U.S. State Department released its 2009 human rights report on Honduras. The report details numerous human rights violations that occurred in the aftermath of the ouster, including “unlawful killings by members of the police and government agents,” “arbitrary and summary killings committed by vigilantes and former members of the security forces,” and “arbitrary detention and disproportionate use of force by security forces.”52 Similar human rights abuses appear to have continued since President Lobo’s January 2010 inauguration. Following a May 2010 visit to Honduras, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expressed deep concern over murders of, and threats against, journalists, political activists, and human rights defenders, as well as the absence of effective investigations into these crimes. The IACHR also expressed concerns that the dismissal of judges opposed to Zelaya’s ouster was politicizing the justice system, and that Lobo’s appointment of several highranking military officers accused of participating in Zelaya’s removal to positions in the government was remilitarizing society.3953 Although the Lobo Administration has taken some steps to improve the human rights situation—such as providing the Human Rights Unit in the Attorney General’s Office an independent budget for the first time and creating a new Ministry of Justice and Human Rights—Honduran and international human rights organizations assert that the Honduran government has made little progress, especially with regard to bringing human rights violators to justice. 4054 According to a December 2010 Human Rights Watch report, at least 18 journalists, political activists, and human rights defenders were killed in Honduras in 2010.41 37 “Honduras: Lobo succeeds where Zelaya failed,” Latin American Weekly Report, January 20, 2011; “Oposición rechaza cambios en Honduras,” La Nación (Costa Rica), January 24, 2011; “Honduras: Constitutional change tests opposition unity,” Oxford Analytica, February 14, 2011. 38 See the full text of the report at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/wha/136117.htm. 39 IACHR “IACHR Publishes Observations on Follow-up Visit to Honduras,” Press Release No. 59/10, June 7, 2010. 40 Thelma Mejía, “Latin America: Honduras has much to Explain in Human Rights Exam,” Inter Press Service, November 3, 2010. 41 Human Rights Watch, After the Coup: Ongoing Violence, Intimidation, and Impunity in Honduras, New York, December 2010. Congressional Research Service 9 Honduran-U.S. Relations55 Press Freedom and the Killing of Journalists International human rights observers have been particularly concerned about declining press freedom in Honduras as media outlets and journalists have been the subjects of attacks. In the aftermath of Zelaya’s forced removal in June 2009, human rights organizations strongly criticized the new Micheletti government for its attacks on press freedom, including government intimidation of journalists and media outlets and the temporary shutdown and interruptions of radio and television broadcasts. Press rights groups maintain that media workers were often targeted and foreign journalists were expelled. The IACHR issued a report in December 2009 asserting that there were serious violations of freedom of expression under Micheletti. The report maintained maintained that the media became extremely polarized during the year, with those journalists and media media supportive of the new Micheletti government subject to attacks by those who opposed Zelaya’s ouster, and those perceived as encouraging support for resistance to the government subject to severe restrictions by state actions and attacks by private citizens. Threats to press freedom have continued under the Lobo Administration. As noted above, the IACHR reported in May 2010 that it received information about threats and attacks directed 52 53 See the full text of the report at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/wha/136117.htm. IACHR “IACHR Publishes Observations on Follow-up Visit to Honduras,” Press Release No. 59/10, June 7, 2010. 54 Thelma Mejía, “Latin America: Honduras has Much to Explain in Human Rights Exam,” Inter Press Service, November 3, 2010. 55 Human Rights Watch, After the Coup: Ongoing Violence, Intimidation, and Impunity in Honduras, New York, December 2010. Congressional Research Service 11 Honduran-U.S. Relations against journalists to intimidate and impede their journalistic work. 4256 In 2010, at least ten10 journalists were murdered in Honduras, making the country among the most dangerous in the world for the media.4357 According to a July 2010 report by the independent, nonprofit Committee to Protect Journalists, there is no evidence to “confirm a political conspiracy or coordinated effort behind the killings.” Nonetheless, the report asserts that “the murders occurred in a politically charged atmosphere of violence and lawlessness” and “the government’s ongoing failure to successfully investigate crimes against journalists and other social critics—whether by intention, impotence, or incompetence—has created a climate of pervasive impunity.”4458 Press rights groups have repeatedly urged President Lobo to combat the crime wave against journalists. The IACHR and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression have repeatedly called on the Honduran government to take all necessary measures to prevent thse these murders, protect at-risk journalists, and make progress in investigating the crimes. 4559 The Inter American American Press Association recommended that the Lobo Administration request international technical technical assistance, establish special prosecutors’ offices, and adopt a number of legal, judicial, and penal reforms.4660 Honduran officials have asserted that there is nothing to indicate that journalists are being attacked because of their work, and that the murdered journalists were most likely the victims of the widespread, random crime that has plagued Honduras in recent years.4761 Nevertheless, the Honduran government has requested assistance from the United States, Spain, and Colombia in investigating alleged human rights violations, including the killing of journalists.48 42 IACHR, “Honduras: Human Rights and the Coup d’État,” December 30, 2009, and “IACHR Concerned About Human Rights Violations in Honduras,” Press Release, No. 54/10, May 19, 2010. 43 “Honduras: HRN Radio Reporter Killed,” EFE News Service, December 28, 2010. 44 Committee to Protect Journalists, “Journalist murders spotlight Honduran government failures,” July 27, 2010. 45 62 The United States has sent advisors from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. officials have indicated they are open to providing additional assistance if needed. 63 International Recognition Following the ouster of President Zelaya, Honduras was diplomatically isolated by the international community. Although trade continued with the exception of a 48-hour blockade by some Central American countries, the Micheletti government was not recognized by a single nation. On July 4, 2009, in accordance with Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the member states of the OAS unanimously voted to suspend Honduras from the organization for an unconstitutional interruption of the democratic order.64 Honduras also lost the support of the international financial institutions, which withheld access to loans and other transfers. 56 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Honduras: Human Rights and the Coup D'état, Organization of American States, OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 55, December 30, 2009; Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, “IACHR Concerned About Human Rights Violations in Honduras,” Press Release, No. 54/10, May 19, 2010. 57 “Honduras: HRN Radio Reporter Killed,” EFE News Service, December 28, 2010. 58 Committee to Protect Journalists, “Journalist Murders Spotlight Honduran Government Failures,” July 27, 2010. 59 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, “Office of the Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern Over New Attacks Against Journalists and Media in Honduras,” September 20, 2010. 4660 Inter American Press Association, “IAPA makes recommendationsMakes Recommendations to President Porfirio Lobo to Combat Violence Against Journalists,” Press Release, April 27, 2010. 4761 Committee to Protect Journalists, “Journalist murders spotlight Honduran government failuresMurders Spotlight Honduran Government Failures,” July 27, 2010. 4862 “Honduras pide ayudaPide Ayuda a Colombia, España, y EEUU en investigación sobre DDHH,” Agence France Presse, January (continued...) Congressional Research Service 10 Honduran-U.S. Relations International Recognition Although President Lobo has made considerable strides in his first year toward reintegrating Honduras into the international community, he has had difficulty gaining recognition from a number of countries in the region. Following the ouster of President Zelaya, many nations expressed concern about the state of democracy in Latin America and the possibility that the events of June 28, 2009 could serve as an example for other countries. Not a single nation recognized the Micheletti government, and since Zelaya was not returned to office prior to the November 2009 election, a number of countries refused to recognize the result.49 While some countries have granted formal recognition to President Lobo since his inauguration, many South American nations—such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela—have refused to do so. At this juncture, Honduras is participating in the United Nations and the international financial institutions, but remains suspended from participation in the OAS.50 Secretary of State Clinton has called on Latin American nations to welcome Honduras back into the inter-American community, but countries such as Brazil want to see more changes in Honduras before extending recognition. Brazilian officials and OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza have suggested that allowing former President Zelaya to return home would pave the way for the OAS memberstates to readmit Honduras.51 According to the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the votes of two-thirds of the OAS member-states are required to lift a suspension.Investigación Sobre DDHH,” Agence France Presse, January 27, 2011. 63 “EEUU Prestará Toda la Ayuda Necesaria a Honduras en DDHH (Funcionaria),” Agence France Presse, June 5, 2011. 64 Organization of American States, Resolution on the Suspension of the Right of Honduras to Participate in the OAS, OEA/Ser.P, AG/Res/2 (XXXVII-E/09), Washington, DC, July 4, 2009. Congressional Research Service 12 Honduran-U.S. Relations As a result of the November 2009 election and Lobo’s reconciliation attempts upon taking office, much of the international community—including the United States, the European Union, most Central American nations, and the international financial institutions—quickly recognized the Lobo Administration. Many South American nations, however, expressed concerns that restoring formal relations with Honduras would set a dangerous precedent in the region since Zelaya was never returned to office. They excluded Honduras from regional gatherings and refused to lift the country’s suspension from the OAS.65 Moreover, they indicated that recognition would be dependent on conditions on the ground, including the ability of former President Zelaya to return home peacefully. 66 On June 1, 2011, four days after Zelaya returned from exile, Honduras was finally able to rejoin the OAS. Noting the importance of the “Accord for National Reconciliation and the Consolidation of the Democratic System in Honduras” negotiated between Lobo and Zelaya, the OAS member states voted 32-1 to lift the suspension. 67 Nearly all of the countries that had previously refused to do so also began to restore official ties with Honduras. Ecuador, which was the only country to vote against lifting the suspension, refuses to restore diplomatic relations “so long as those serving in the Honduran government participated in the coup outright and remain in complete impunity.”68 Economic and Social Conditions Background The Honduran economy has experienced significant changes since the 1990s. Traditional agricultural exports of coffee and bananas are still important, but nontraditional sectors, such as shrimp farming and the maquiladora, or export-processing industry, have grown significantly. In 1998, Honduras was devastated by Hurricane Mitch, which killed more than 5,000 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. The gross domestic product declined by 1.4% in 1999, and the country felt the effects of the storm for several years, with roads and bridges washed out, the agricultural sector hard hit, and scores of orphaned children, many of whom joined criminal gangs. Spurred on by substantial U.S. foreign assistance, however, the economy rebounded. Between 2000 and 2008, the country experienced average growth of over 5%.52 Honduras is now (...continued) 27, 2011. 49 “El Mercosur anuncia ‘pleno desconocimiento’ de nuevo gobierno de Honduras,” EFE News Service, December 8, 2009. 50 The OAS member states unanimously voted to suspend Honduras for an unconstitutional interruption of the democratic order in accordance with Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter on July 4, 2009. According to Article 22 of the Charter, lifting the suspension requires the votes of two thirds of the member states. 51 “OAS presents report on Honduras,” Latin News Daily, July 30, 2010; “Chile and Mexico make-up with Honduras,” Latin News Daily, August 2, 2010. 52 “Honduras: Country Data,” Economist Intelligence Unit, February 2011. Congressional Research Service 11 Honduran-U.S. Relations classified by the World Bank as a lower middle income developing economy, with a per capita income of $1,800 (2009).53 69 Honduras is now classified by the World Bank as a lower middle income developing economy, with a per capita income of $1,800 (2009).70 65 “Honduras: Honduras Cleaves Latin America,” Latin American Regional Report: Caribbean & Central America, May 2010. 66 “Insulza Dice que Reintegro de Honduras a OEA está Atado a Exilio de Zelaya,” Agence France Presse, February 11, 2011. 67 Organization of American States, Participation of Honduras in the Organization of American States, OEA/Ser.P, AG/Res.1 (XLI-E/11), Washington, DC, June 1, 2011. 68 “Ecuador President Won’t Restore Ties with Honduras,” Agence France Presse, June 2, 2011. 69 “Honduras: Country Data,” Economist Intelligence Unit, February 2011. 70 World Bank, “World Development Indicators,” February 2010, available at http://data.worldbank.org/datacatalog/world-development-indicators. Congressional Research Service 13 Honduran-U.S. Relations Over the past decade, Honduras has benefited from several debt-reduction programs. In 2005, Honduras signed a three-year poverty reduction and growth facility agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), making the country eligible for about $1 billion in debt relief under the IMF and World Bank’s Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. 5471 The agreement imposed fiscal and monetary targets on the government, and required Honduras to maintain firm macroeconomic discipline and develop a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy. In 2006, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) implemented a debt forgiveness program for its poorest members. Honduras benefitted from a reduction of $1.4 billion in foreign debt, freeing government resources to finance poverty alleviation. 5572 Largely as a result of these programs, Honduras’ net public debt declined from nearly 46% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005 to about 19.1% in 2007.5673 Honduran debt has been climbing again in recent years, however, as increased domestic spending and decreased government revenue have contributed to growing fiscal deficits. Despite experiencing relatively strong growth and benefitting from debt reduction programs, Honduras continues to face significant development challenges. The country remains one of the most impoverished nations in Latin America. According to the most recent household census conducted by the Honduran National Statistics Institute, 60% of Honduras’ 8 million citizens live under the poverty line—defined as being unable to acquire the basic basket of household goods. 5774 Likewise, Honduras has an infant mortality rate of 27 per 1,000; chronic malnutrition for one out of four children under five years of age; and a significant HIV/AIDS crisis, with an adult infection rate of 1.5% of the population. The Garifuna community (descendants of freed black slaves and indigenous Caribs from St. Vincent) concentrated in northern coastal areas has been especially hard hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The World Bank maintains that development indicators have improved over the past decade because of increased public spending on health and education, but further progress is uncertain. It notes that the country remains vulnerable to external shocks, including declines in prices for agricultural exports and natural disasters such as hurricanes and droughts.58 53 World Bank, “World Development Indicators,” February 2010, available at http://data.worldbank.org/datacatalog/world-development-indicators. 54 75 Crises and Recovery The global financial crisis and domestic political crisis took a significant toll on the Honduran economy. Honduras was already experiencing significant declines in remittances, tourism, and export earnings as a result of the financial crisis prior to President Zelaya’s expulsion from the country.76 The ouster exacerbated these economic problems, as the international community, 71 For more information on the HIPC Initiative, see CRS Report RL33073, Debt Relief for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries: Issues for Congress, by Martin A. Weiss. 5572 “Honduras: Country Report,” Economist Intelligence Unit, April 2007; Nestor Ikeda, “Inter-American Development Bank Forgives Debt of 5 Nations,” Associated Press, March 17, 2007. 5673 “Honduras: Country Report,” Economist Intelligence Unit, November 2010. 57 74 “Honduras: Poverty drivesDrives Lobo’s calls for constitutional changeCalls for Constitutional Change,” Latin American Economy & Business, October 2010. 5875 U.N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, “Social Panorama of Latin America,” 2009; World Bank, “Honduras Country Brief,” April 22, 2010; World Food Programme, “Country Programme – Honduras,” 2008. Also see CRS Report RL32713, Afro-Latinos in Latin America and Considerations for U.S. Policy, by Clare Ribando Seelke and June S. Beittel. Congressional Research Service 12 Honduran-U.S. Relations Crises and Recovery The global financial crisis and domestic political crisis took a significant toll on the Honduran economy. Honduras was already experiencing significant declines in remittances, tourism, and export earnings as a result of the financial crisis at the time of President Zelaya’s forced removal from office. 59 The ouster exacerbated these economic problems, as the international community, 76 “Honduras: Struggling,” Latin American Economy & Business, October 2009; “Honduras Economy: Political Crisis Takes its Toll,” Economist Intelligence Unit, October 27, 2009. Congressional Research Service 14 Honduran-U.S. Relations which had been expected to finance 20% of the country’s budget, imposed a series of economic sanctions on Honduras.6077 International financial institutions withheld access to some $485 million in loans and other transfers, the European Union and United States terminated $126 million in aid, and Venezuela—which provided 50% of Honduras’ petroleum imports in 2008—stopped supplying the country with subsidized oil. 6178 Domestic opponents of the ouster placed additional pressure on the economy, engaging in strikes, transportation blockades, and other measures designed to paralyze economic activity.62 Some economists estimated that the political crisis cost Honduras 180,000 jobs and $20 million daily in lost trade, aid, tourism, and investment.63 Overall, the Honduran economy contracted by 2.1% in 2009.64 Since his inauguration79 Curfews implemented by the Micheletti government to suppress demonstrations by the political opposition further inhibited economic activity as workers were unable to reach their places of employment. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimates that the total economic cost of the political crisis was $1.09 billion.80 Overall, the Honduran economy contracted by 2.1% in 2009.81 Since taking office, President Lobo has pushed for reforms designed to restore macroeconomic macroeconomic stability, strengthen public finances, and encourage sustained economic growth. The Honduran National Congress has approved several of Lobo’s proposals, including an energy reform reform intended to better target subsidies to the poor, and a comprehensive tax reform expected to generate additional revenue equivalent to 2.5% of GDP. The National Congress also approved a measure de-indexing teachers’ wages from changes in the minimum wage in an effort to slow the growth of expenditure on public sector salaries, which absorb 73% of all government revenue.65 These efforts have been criticized by business groups opposed to tax increases and public sector workers pushing for wage increases. However, they have been supported by the international financial institutions, providing the Lobo Administration with access to much needed development financing. In October and November 2010, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the World Bank approved a combined $322.5 million in financial support for Honduras to support the Lobo Administration’s efforts to improve the country’s long-term fiscal balance and implement the reforms necessary to achieve the country’s poverty reduction and growth objectives.66 The Honduran economy grew by 2.8% in 2010 and is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2011.67 59 “Honduras: Struggling,” Latin American Economy & Business, October 2009; “Honduras economy: Political crisis takes its toll,” Economist Intelligence Unit, October 27, 2009. 60 Keny López de Carballo, “Honduras no puede prescindir de créditos,” La Prensa Grafica (El Salvador), July 9, 2009. 61 Robin Emmott, “Aid freeze in post-coup Honduras hurting poor,” Reuters, November 12, 2009; “Honduras can’t touch IMF resources—IMF” Reuters, September 9, 2009; “Unión Europea suspende ayuda financiera82 To attract foreign direct investment, the Honduran National Congress has approved a law on public-private partnerships, a temporary employment scheme, and the creation of special development areas, or “charter cities.”83 Lobo’s fiscal reforms have been criticized by business groups and public sector workers, however, they have been supported by the international financial institutions that are currently providing Honduras with much needed development financing. In October and November 2010, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the World Bank approved a combined $322.5 million in financial support for Honduras. The funds are to be used in support of the Lobo Administration’s efforts to improve the country’s long-term fiscal balance and implement the reforms necessary to achieve the country’s poverty reduction and growth objectives.84 The Honduran economy has begun to slowly recover from the 2009 77 Keny López de Carballo, “Honduras No Puede Prescindir de Créditos,” La Prensa Grafica (El Salvador), July 9, 2009. 78 Robin Emmott, “Aid Freeze in Post-Coup Honduras Hurting Poor,” Reuters, November 12, 2009; “Honduras Can’t Touch IMF Resources—IMF” Reuters, September 9, 2009; “Unión Europea Suspende Ayuda Financiera a Honduras,” Reuters, July 20, 2009; “Senior State Department Officials Hold Background News Teleconference on Honduras,” CQ Newsmaker Transcripts, September 3, 2009; “Venezuela halts oil deliveriesHalts Oil Deliveries to Honduras,” EFE News Service, July 8, 2009; “Negociación soloSolo es para que Zelaya enfrente la justiciaEnfrente la Justicia,” El Heraldo (Honduras), July 7, 2009. 6279 “Manifestantes aseguran que hoy paralizan el país,” El Tiempo (Honduras), July 23, 2009. 63 Blake Schmidt, “Midence Says Honduras Economy to Shrink After Crisis,” Bloomberg, August 7, 2009; Laura Figueroa, “Honduras’ business leaders hope elections restore investors’ faith,” Miami Herald, December 25, 2009. 64Aseguran que Hoy Paralizan el País,” El Tiempo (Honduras), July 23, 2009. 80 Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación (CVR), Para que los Hechos No se Repitan: Informe de la Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación, San José, Costa Rica, July 2011, http://www.cvr.hn/home/noticias/hojas-de-prensa/paraque-los-hechos-no-se-repitan-informe-de-la-comision-de-la-verdad-y-la-reconciliacion-cvr/. 81 “Honduras: Country Report,” Economist Intelligence Unit, January 2011. 6582 “Honduras: Country Report,” Economist Intelligence Unit, December 2010; International Monetary Fund, Honduras: Letter of Intent, Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, and Technical Memorandum of Understanding, September 10, 2010. 6683 “Country Watch: Honduras,” Economist Intelligence Unit, June 13, 2011. 84 “Tracking Trends: Honduras IMF Loan,” Latin News Weekly Report, October 14, 2010; “BID y BM conceden (continued...)Conceden Préstamos por más de USD 120 Millones a Honduras,” Agence France Presse, November 10, 2010. Congressional Research Service 13 Honduran-U.S. Relations 15 Honduran-U.S. Relations financial and political crises. GDP grew by 2.8% in 2010 and is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2011.85 Unemployment remains a challenge, however, as over 16% of Hondurans lack formal jobs.86 Issues in U.S.-Honduran Relations The United States has had close relations with Honduras over many years. The bilateral relationship became especially close in the 1980s when Honduras returned to democratic rule and became the lynchpin for U.S. policy in Central America. At that time, the country became a staging area for U.S.-supported excursions into Nicaragua by anti-Sandinista forces known as the Contrasthe Contra forces attempting to overthrow the leftist Sandinista government. Economic linkages also intensified in the 1980s after Honduras became a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative providing, which provided duty-free importation of Honduran goods into the United States, and more recently with States. Bilateral economic ties have further expanded since the entrance into force of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) in 2006. Relations between the United States and Honduras were strained in 2009 because of the country’s political crisis. Following Zelaya’s ouster, the United States cut off almost all contact with the Honduran government. It suspended some foreign assistance, minimized cooperation with the Honduran military, and revoked the visas of members and supporters of the Micheletti government, which assumed power following Zelaya’s removal. 6887 Micheletti reacted angrily to U.S. policy toward his government, declaring, “it isn’t possible for anyone, no matter how powerful they are, to come over here and tell us what we have to do.”6988 Relations have improved considerably since the inauguration of President Lobo, whose efforts to foster national reconciliation and solidify democratic processes in Honduras led the United States to restore foreign assistance and resume cooperation on other issues. According to the March 2010 congressional testimony of then Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Craig Kelly, U.S. policy towards Honduras is now focused on helping Honduras deal with its numerous daunting challenges, including:Current U.S. policy objectives in Honduras include (1) improving the human-rights climate, especially regarding allegations of serious human rights abuses and reports that personsthat journalists and other individuals have been targeted for their political views; (2) combating high levels of corruption, crime, and drug-trafficking; and (3) promoting and implementing social and economic reforms to boost growth and reduce poverty and inequality levels levels that are among the highest in the hemisphere; and (4) helping Honduras contend with a severe economic crisis that could further destabilize the country.70 In pursuit of its policy goals. 89 To advance these policy objectives, the United States provides Honduras with substantial amounts of foreign assistance, maintains significant military and economic ties, and engages on transnational issues such as illegal migration, crime, narcotics trafficking, trafficking in persons, and port security. (...continued) préstamos por más de USD 120 millones a Honduras,” Agence France Presse, November 10, 2010. 67 “Honduras: Country Report,” Economist Intelligence Unit, January 2011. 6885 “Honduras: Country Report,” Economist Intelligence Unit, June 2011. “Honduras: President Lobo Wrestles with Intractables,” Latin American Economy & Business, June 2011. 87 “Senior Administration Officials Hold State Department Background Briefing via Teleconference on Honduras,” CQ Newsmaker Transcripts, June 28, 2009; U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, “Termination of Assistance and Other Measures Affecting the De Facto Regime in Honduras,” September 3, 2009; U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, “Revocation of Diplomatic Visas,” July 28, 2009. 6988 Carlos Salinas, “Honduran de facto leader vows to cling to power over US objectionsDe Facto Leader Vows to Cling to Power Over US Objections,” El País (Spain), August 5, 5, 2009. 7089 Testimony of Craig Kelly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State, before the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, March 18, 2010. 86 Congressional Research Service 1416 Honduran-U.S. Relations U.S. Foreign Assistance The United States has provided considerable amounts of foreign assistance to Honduras over the past three decades. In the 1980s, the United States provided about $1.6 billion in economic and military aid as the country struggled amid the region’s civil conflicts. In the 1990s, U.S. assistance to Honduras began to wane as regional conflicts subsided and competing foreign assistance needs grew in other parts of the world. Hurricane Mitch changed that trend as the United States provided almost $300 million in assistance to help the country recover from the 1998 storm. As a result of the influx of aid, total U.S. assistance to Honduras for the 1990s amounted to around $1 billion. With Hurricane Mitch funds expended by the end of 2001, U.S. foreign aid levels to Honduras again began to decline. Recent foreign aid funding to Honduras amounted to $40.5 million in FY2008, $40.2 million in FY2009, and $50.2 million in FY2010.71 The continuing resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended) scheduled to expire on March 4, 2011, continues funding most foreign aid programs at the FY2010 enacted level The Obama Administration requested $67.9 million for Honduras in FY2011; however, country-specific funding levels, as appropriated through the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 112-10) are not yet available. For FY2012, the Obama Administration has requested nearly $68 million in foreign aid for Honduras, including $55 million in Development Assistance (DA), $11 million in Global Health and Child Survival assistance (GHCS), and $1 million in Foreign Military Financing Financing (FMF). (See Table 1 below)..) U.S. assistance supports a variety of projects designed to enhance enhance security, strengthen democracy, improve education and health systems, conserve the environment, and build trade capacity. Most assistance to the country is managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department. Honduras receives some foreign assistance beyond the bilateral funds appropriated annually through the foreign operations budget. The Peace Corps, which has been active in the country since 1963, provides nearly 180 volunteers to work on projects related to HIV/AIDS prevention and child survival, protected area management, water and sanitation, and business, municipal and youth development. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) provided Honduras with $205 million72 for a five-year economic growth compact that was completed in September 2010. The compact had two components: a rural development project to provide farmers with skills to grow and market new crops, and a transportation project to improve roads and highways to link farmers and other businesses to ports and major production centers in Honduras.73 USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) provides assistance in response to natural disasters. USAID/OFDA provided Honduras with $150,000 to respond to flooding and other damage during the 2010 hurricane season. 74 Honduras also receives assistance under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI, formerly known as Mérida-Central America), a 71 In September 2009, the United States terminated about $21.7 million in foreign assistance appropriated for Honduras as a result of the country’s political crisis. Some $10.3 million was intended for security assistance and $11.4 million was intended for economic and social development programs administered directly by the government of Honduras. The United States would have been legally required to terminate these funds if it had declared Zelaya’s ouster a “military coup,” although it never did so. Following the inauguration of President Lobo, the United States restored most of the assistance that had been terminated. 72 The compact was originally for $215 million, but the final $10 million was terminated as a result of the 2009 political crisis. 73 Millennium Challenge Corporation, “Honduras Overview,” available at http://www.mcc.gov/countries/honduras/ index.php. 74 USAID, Latin America and the Caribbean—Hurricane Season and Floods, Fact Sheet #6, FY2011, November 9, 2010. Congressional Research Service 15 Honduran-U.S. Relations package of counternarcotics and anticrime assistance for the region. 75 From FY2008-FY2010, Congress appropriated $248 for Central America, a portion of which was intended for Honduras. For FY2012, the Obama Administration has requested $100 million for CARSI International Development (USAID) and the State Department. Table 1. U.S. Bilateral Assistance to Honduras, FY2007-FY2011FY2008-FY2012 (U.S. $ in thousands) Account FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011(req.)a FY2012(req.)b) Development Assistance (DA) 15,149 21,382 37,491 53,934 55,266 Global Health and Child Survival (GHCS) (USAID) 12,035 11,750 11,000 11,000 10,000 Global Health and Child Survival (GHCS) (State) 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Development Assistance (DA) 15,149 21,382 37,491 53,934 55,266 Economic Support Funds (ESF) — — — — — Foreign Military Financing (FMF) 496 — — 1,300 1,00010,150 5,771 0 0 0 International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INCLE) 744 0 0 0 0 International Military Education and Training (IMET) 936 329 700 700 700 International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INCLE) 744 — — — — — — — — NA Food Aid 10,150 5,771 — — NA Total 40,510 40,232 50,191 67,934 67,966 Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism & Demining (NADR) Training (IMET) 936 329 700 700 700 Foreign Military Financing (FMF) 496 0 0 1,300 1,000 40,510 40,232 50,191 67,934 67,966 Food for Peace Title II (P.L. 480) Total Sources: U.S. Department of State, Executive Budget Summary: Function 150 & Other International Programs, Fiscal Year 2012, February 14Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 2012, April 11, 2011; U.S. Department of State, Office of the Director of Foreign AssistanceCongressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 2010, May 28, 2009. Notes: Global Health and Child Survival (USAID) was formerly called “Child Survival and Health,” but was relabeled with the FY2010 budget request. Likewise, Global Health and Child Survival (State) was formerly called “Global HIV/AIDS Initiative,” but was re-labeled with the FY2010 budget request. a. Since Congress has yet to pass FY2011 appropriations legislation, government programs are currently funded by a series of continuing resolutions (P.L. 111-242 as amended), with the latest extension set to expire on March 4, 2011. The continuing resolution, as amended, continues funding most foreign aid programs at the FY2010 enacted level. b. Country-level figures for the NADR and P.L. 480 accounts are not yet available for the FY2012 requestAlthough the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 112-10) was signed into law on April 15, 2011, country-specific funding levels are not yet available. Congressional Research Service 17 Honduran-U.S. Relations Honduras receives some foreign assistance beyond the bilateral funds listed above. The Peace Corps, which has been active in the country since 1963, provides nearly 180 volunteers to work on projects related to HIV/AIDS prevention and child survival; protected area management; water and sanitation; and business, municipal and youth development. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) provided Honduras with $205 million90 for a five-year economic growth compact that was completed in September 2010. The compact had two components: a rural development project to provide farmers with skills to grow and market new crops, and a transportation project to improve roads and highways to link farmers and other businesses to ports and major production centers in Honduras.91 USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) provides assistance in response to natural disasters. USAID/OFDA provided Honduras with $150,000 to respond to flooding and other damage during the 2010 hurricane season.92 Honduras also receives assistance under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI, formerly known as Mérida-Central America), a package of counternarcotics and anticrime assistance for the region.93 From FY2008-FY2010, Congress appropriated $260 for CARSI, a portion of which was intended for Honduras. For FY2012, the Obama Administration has requested $100 million for CARSI. Military Cooperation The United States maintains a troop presence of about 600 military personnel known as Joint Task Force (JTF) Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base. JTF Bravo was first established in 1983 with about 1,200 troops who were involved in military training exercises and in supporting U.S. counterinsurgency and intelligence operations in the region. In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, U.S. troops provided extensive assistance in the relief and reconstruction effort. Today, U.S. troops in Honduras support such activities as disaster relief, medical and humanitarian assistance, counternarcotics operations, and search and rescue operations that benefit Honduras 75 For more information, see CRS Report R40135, Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues, by Clare Ribando Seelke. Congressional Research Service 16 Honduran-U.S. Relations and other Central American countries. Regional exercises and deployments involving active duty and reserve components also provide training opportunities for thousands of U.S. troops. The June 28, 2009, ouster of President Manuel Zelaya led some to reassess the state of U.S.Honduran military cooperation. As a result of the Honduran military’s role in Zelaya’s removal, the United States suspended joint military activities as well as some military assistance to the country.7694 The events in Honduras also led some analysts to question the effectiveness of U.S. foreign military training programs.77 They argued that such programs have not obtained their desired outcomes given that General Romeo Vasquez Velasquez—, who had received U.S. training— training, led the effort to remove President Zelaya, and the Honduran military reportedly cut off contact with the United States prior to the ouster.78 Nevertheless, U.S.-Honduran military cooperation resumed following the election of President Lobo, with the United States restoring aid and resuming its training of Honduran officers.79 Economic Linkages contact 90 The compact was originally for $215 million, but the final $10 million was terminated as a result of the 2009 political crisis. 91 Millennium Challenge Corporation, “Honduras Overview,” available at http://www.mcc.gov/countries/honduras/ index.php. 92 USAID, Latin America and the Caribbean—Hurricane Season and Floods, Fact Sheet #6, FY2011, November 9, 2010. 93 For more information, see CRS Report R41731, Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress, by Peter J. Meyer and Clare Ribando Seelke. 94 John J. Kruzel, “U.S. Limits Contact with Honduran Military,” American Forces Press Service, July 2, 2009; U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, “U.S. Assistance to Honduras,” July 7, 2009. Congressional Research Service 18 Honduran-U.S. Relations with the United States prior to the ouster. 95 Nevertheless, U.S.-Honduran military cooperation resumed following the election of President Lobo, with the United States restoring aid and training efforts.96 The United States also resumed funding the construction of a Honduran naval base on the island of Guanaja, which—together with a naval base constructed in Caratasca in 2009—is designed to enhance Honduras’ capacity to detect and interdict illicit drug shipments.97 Trade and Investment U.S. trade and investment linkages with Honduras have increased greatly since the early 1980s. In 1984, Honduras became one of the first beneficiaries of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), the a unilateral U.S. preferential trade arrangement providing duty-free importation for many goods from the region. In the late 1980s, Honduras benefitted from production-sharing arrangements with U.S. apparel companies for duty-free entry into the United States of certain apparel products assembled in Honduras. As a result, maquiladoras or export-assembly companies flourished, most concentrated in the north coast region. The passage of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act in 2000 (CBTPA), which provided Caribbean Basin nations with NAFTA-like North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)-like preferential tariff treatment, further boosted Honduran maquiladoras. Trade the maquila sector. Trade relations expanded again following the implementation most recently as a result of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which enteredhas significantly liberalized trade in goods and services since entering into force with Honduras in April 2006.8098 Total trade between the United States and Honduras has increased 15% since the implementation of CAFTA-DR, with U.S. exports to Honduras growing by 25% and U.S. imports from Honduras growing by 6%. Total U.S.-Honduran trade in 2010 totaled $8.5 billion. U.S. exports to Honduras amounted to about $4.6 billion, an increase of nearly 37% after a steep decline in 2009. Knit and woven apparel inputs accounted for a substantial portion, as did machinery and petroleum. U.S. imports from Honduras amounted to about $3.9 billion, with knit and woven apparel (assembled products from the maquiladora sector) accounting for the greatest share. Other major imports from Honduras include electrical wiring, bananas, seafood, coffee, and gold. In 2010, the United 76 “U.S. suspends joint military activities with Honduras,” EFE News Service, July 1, 2009; U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, “U.S. Assistance to Honduras,” July 7, 2009. 77 Adam Isacson, “When your aid recipients stop taking your calls,” Center for International Policy, June 28, 2008, available at http://www.cipcol.org/. 78 “U.S. suspends joint military activities with Honduras,” EFE News Service, July 1, 2009; “Senior Administration Officials Hold State Department Background Briefing via Teleconference on Honduras,” CQ Newsmaker Transcripts, June 28, 2009. 79 “Honduras: Ties with US return to normal,” Latin News Weekly Report, April 22, 2010. 80 For more information on CAFTA-DR, see CRS Report RL31870, The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), by J. F. Hornbeck. Congressional Research Service 17 Honduran-U.S. Relations States remained Honduras’ top trading partner and Honduras moved up one spot to become the United States 49th largest trading partner. 81 U.S. foreign direct investment in Honduras amounted to $844 million in 2009, up from $787 million in 2006.82 More than 150 U.S. companies operate in Honduras. The most significant U.S. investments are in the maquila or export assembly sector, fruit production, tourism, energy generation, shrimp farming, animal feed production, telecommunications, fuel distribution, cigar manufacturing, insurance, brewing, food processing, and furniture manufacturing. 83 U.S. businesses operating in Honduras were negatively affected by the country’s political crisis in 2009, with the tourism and manufacturing sectors especially hard hit as international travelers stayed away and government-imposed curfews prevented workers from getting to their places of employment. 84 Despite the increases in trade and investment that have occurred since the implementation of CAFTA-DR, some Honduran and U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the agreement. Honduran officials are concerned about the loss of agricultural jobs in the corn, rice, beef, poultry, and pork sectors since the country opened its market to U.S. agricultural products. Some fear that the loss of agricultural employment could lead to social unrest if not addressed properly through long-term investment. 85 Although CAFTA-DR has provisions to enforce domestic labor codes and improve labor rights, a number of U.S. officials maintain that the provisions are inadequate given the history of non-compliance with labor laws in many Central American nations. The U.S. State Department’s most recent Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for Honduras found credible evidence that employees engaged in union organizing were blacklisted within the maquiladoras and that union leaders were occasionally targeted with threats and violence. 86two-way trade amounted to $8.5 billion in 2010, $4.6 billion in U.S. exports to Honduras and $3.9 billion in U.S. imports from Honduras. Similar to previous trade arrangements, CAFTA-DR has provided substantial benefits to the maquila sector. Knit and woven apparel (assembled products from the maquila sector) account for the greatest share of U.S. imports from Honduras. Likewise, apparel inputs, such as yarns and fabrics, account for a substantial portion of U.S. exports to Honduras. Other major U.S. exports to Honduras include oil and machinery.99 U.S. foreign direct investment in Honduras has also increased since the implementation of CAFTA-DR. Total U.S. foreign direct investment amounted to $844 million in 2009, up 7% from $787 million in 2006.100 The most significant U.S. investments are in the maquila, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, and energy sectors. According to the U.S. State Department, relatively low labor costs, proximity to the U.S. market, and Central America’s largest port (Puerto Cortés) make Honduras attractive to investors. On the other hand, high levels of crime, a weak judicial system, corruption, low levels of educational attainment, and poor 95 See, for example, Adam Isacson, “When Your Aid Recipients Stop Taking Your Calls,” Center for International Policy, June 28, 2008, http://www.cipcol.org/?p=949. 96 “Honduras: Ties with US Return to Normal,” Latin News Weekly Report, April 22, 2010. 97 “Central America: Behind the Growing Presence of the US,” Latin American Security & Strategic Review, July 2010. 98 For more information on CAFTA-DR, see CRS Report RL31870, The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), by J. F. Hornbeck. 99 U.S. Department of Commerce data, as presented by Global Trade Atlas, April 2011. 100 U.S. Department of Commerce, “U.S. Direct Investment Abroad Tables,” Survey of Current Business, September 2010. Congressional Research Service 19 Honduran-U.S. Relations infrastructure hamper investment. 101 Additionally, some observers have raised questions about the investment climate in Honduras as a result of several cases where U.S.-owned companies have been driven out of business as a result of anticompetitive practices or have been expropriated without compensation.102 On June 15, 2011, a bill (H.R. 2200, Rohrabacher) was introduced to limit U.S. assistance to Honduras unless the President certifies that the Government of Honduras has settled all outstanding expropriation claims brought by U.S. companies. Despite the increases in trade and investment, some analysts have expressed concerns about the implementation of CAFTA-DR. Labor rights provisions have been of particular concern to many in the United States. According to the U.S. State Department, Honduran labor laws are generally satisfactory, however, the government frequently fails to enforce them. In the past year, “union leaders were subjected to violence and threats,” “employers commonly threatened to close unionized factories and harassed or dismissed workers seeking to unionize,” and “factory management in export-processing zones required compulsory overtime, with some factories enforcing this requirement by locking workers inside.”103 Honduran officials, on the other hand, have expressed concerns about the potential loss of agricultural jobs in the corn, rice, beef, pork, and poultry sectors as the country further opens its market to U.S. agricultural products.104 Migration Issues Temporary Protected Status In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the United States provided temporary protected status (TPS) to eligible Hondurans who may otherwise have been deported from the United States. Originally slated to expire in July 2000, TPS status has now been extended nine times. The most recent TPS extension came on May 5, 2010, when the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that the United States would continue to provide TPS for an additional 18 months, expiring on January 5, 2012 (prior to this extension, TPS would have expired July 5, 2010). According to a Federal Register notice on the most recent extension, the Secretary of Homeland Security maintained that the extension was warranted because there continues to be a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in Honduras resulting from Hurricane Mitch, and 81 U.S. Department of Commerce data, as presented by Global Trade Atlas, February 2011. U.S. Department of Commerce, “U.S. Direct Investment Abroad Tables,” Survey of Current Business, September 2010. 83 U.S. Department of State, “Background Note: Honduras,” November 2009. 84 Brian Wagner, “Honduran Businesses Suffer as Political Crisis Continues,” Voice of America, October 16, 2009; Kevin Bogardus, “U.S. Business sees Honduran elections as solution to crisis ,” The Hill, October 28, 2009. 85 Kathleen Schalch, “Hondurans Brace for Pros, Cons of CAFTA,” National Public Radio (NPR), May 19, 2005. 86 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices,” March 11, 2010. 82 Congressional Research Service 18 Honduran-U.S. Relations the country remains temporarily unable to adequately handle the return of its nationals.87 Homeland Security estimates that TPS covers an estimated 66,000 Hondurans residing in the United States.88the country remains temporarily unable to adequately handle the return of its nationals.105 Homeland Security estimates that TPS covers an estimated 66,000 Hondurans residing in the United States.106 101 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, 2011 Investment Climate Statement Honduras, March 2011. 102 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Next Steps for Honduras, 111th Cong., 2nd sess., March 18, 2010, Serial No. 111-94 (Washington: GPO, 2010). 103 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Honduras, April 8, 2011. 104 Kathleen Schalch, "Hondurans Brace for Pros, Cons of CAFTA," National Public Radio (NPR), May 19, 2005. 105 For more details, see 75 Federal Register 24734-24737, May 5, 2010. 106 “18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Honduras, Questions and Answers,” States News Service, May 5, 2010. See CRS Report RS20844, Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues, by Ruth Ellen Wasem and Karma Ester. Congressional Research Service 20 Honduran-U.S. Relations Remittances Remittances from migrant workers abroad—87% of whom live in the United States—are the largest single source of foreign exchange for Honduras. Between 2002 and 2008, remittances to Honduras more than tripled to $2.7 billion, the equivalent of 20% of GDP. Although remittances declined by over 8% in 2009, they appear to have partially recovered in 2010 to $2.53 billion. The recent decline in remittances is at least partially due to the global financial crisis and U.S. recession, which have left many Honduran immigrants in the United States unemployed. Most remittances from Hondurans abroad are sent to immediate family members, such as parents and children, to supplement their wages.89107 In September 2010, Secretary of State Clinton signed a Memorandum of Understanding with President Lobo regarding the Building Remittance Investment for Development Growth and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE) Initiative. Under the Initiative, the United States will work with Honduras to develop and support partnerships with Honduran financial institutions in hopes of maximizing the development impact of remittance flows. The identified financial institutions will be able to leverage the remittances they receive to obtain lower-cost, longer-term financing in international capital markets to fund investments in infrastructure, public works, and commercial development.90 Deportations91108 Deportations109 Deportations to Honduras have increased significantly over the past decade. Approximately 25,600 Hondurans were deported from the United States in FY2010, making Honduras one of the top recipients of deportees on a per capita basis.92110 Increasing deportations from the United States have been accompanied by similar increases in deportations from Mexico, a transit country for Central American migrants bound for the United States. Honduran policymakers are concerned about their country’s ability to absorb the large volume of deportees, as it is often difficult for those returning to the country to find gainful employment. Individuals who do not speak Spanish, who are tattooed, who have criminal records, and/or who lack familial support face additional difficulties re-integrating into Honduran society. In addition to these social problems, leaders are 87 For more details, see 75 Federal Register 24734-24737, May 5, 2010. “18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Honduras, Questions and Answers,” States News Service, May 5, 2010. See CRS Report RS20844, Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues, by Ruth Ellen Wasem and Karma Ester. 89 “Honduras: Country concerned that remittances may start to fall if the current high rates of deportations continue. 111 Some analysts contend that increasing U.S. deportations of individuals with criminal records has exacerbated the gang problem in Honduras and other Central American countries. By the mid1990s, the civil conflicts in Central America had ended and the United States began deporting unauthorized immigrants, many with criminal convictions, back to the region. Between 2000 and 107 “Honduras: Moderate Inflation,” Latin American Economy & Business, February 2011; “Honduras: Country Report,” Economist Intelligence Unit, November 2010; “Roundtable Discussion: Outlook for Remittances to Latin America in 2010,” Inter American Dialogue, April 12, 2010; “Latin America: Remittances slide,” Economist Slide,” Economist Intelligence Unit, January 26, 2009; “Country Profile: Honduras,” Economist Intelligence Unit, 2008. 90108 Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, “U.S. BRIDGE Initiative Commitments with El Salvador and Honduras,” September 22, 2010. 91109 Clare Ribando Seelke, Specialist in Latin American Affairs, contributed information to this section. 92 110 Information provided to CRS by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Congressional Relations. 88 Congressional Research Service 19 Honduran-U.S. Relations concerned that remittances may start to fall if the current high rates of deportations continue. 93 In 2007, the Honduran Congress approved a motion calling for the United States to halt deportations of undocumented Honduran migrants who live and work in the United States.94 Some analysts contend that increasing U.S. deportations of individuals with criminal records has exacerbated the gang problem in Honduras and other Central American countries. By the mid1990s, the civil conflicts in Central America had ended and the United States began deporting unauthorized immigrants, many with criminal convictions, back to the region. Between 2000 and 111 Pamela Constable, “Deportees’ Bittersweet Homecoming; Migration is Boon, Bane for Honduras,” Washington Post, June 27, 2007. Congressional Research Service 21 Honduran-U.S. Relations 2004, an estimated 20,000 criminals were sent back to Central America, many of whom had spent time in prisons in the United States for drug and/or gang-related offenses. Some observers contend that gang-deportees have “exported” a Los Angeles gang culture to Central America, and that they have recruited new members from among the local populations.95112 Although a recent United Nations study found little conclusive evidence to support their claims, the media and many Central American officials have attributed a large proportion of the rise in violent crime in the region to gangs, particularly gang-deportees from the United States.96 113 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not provide receiving countries with the complete criminal records or gang affiliations of deportees, however, it may provide them with some information regarding deportees’ criminal histories and gang affiliations when specifying why the deportees were removed from the United States. Likewise, receiving countries may contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contact the FBI to request criminal history checks on particular criminal deportees once they have arrived. Over 40% of the Hondurans deported from the United States in FY2010 were removed on criminal grounds.97 114 Crime, Violence, and Drug Trafficking98Trafficking115 Honduras, along with neighboring El Salvador and Guatemala, has become fertile ground for gangs and drug trafficking organizations. Fueled by poverty, unemployment, leftover weapons from the conflicts of the 1980s, and the U.S. deportation of criminals to the region, gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18th Street Gang (M-18) have firmly established themselves in the region. Although estimates of the number of gang members in Central America vary widely, the U.S. Southern Command maintainsN. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has suggested that there are some 70,000, concentrated largely in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.99 At the 36,000 in Honduras.116 At the same time, Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) have taken control of Central American trafficking corridors to transport cocaine and other narcotics from the Andean region of South America to the United States. The State Department, in its 2010 International Narcotics Strategy Control Report (INCSR), estimated 93 Pamela Constable, “Deportees’ Bittersweet Homecoming; Migration is Boon, Bane for Honduras,” Washington Post, June 27, 2007. 94 “CN Pide a EEUU que Cesen las Deportaciones de Compatriotas,” La Tribuna (Honduras), March 14, 2007. 95 South America to the United States. This confluence of gangs and DTOs has led to increasing rates of crime and violence. According to Vanderbilt University’s 2010 Americas Barometer, 14% of Honduran citizens reported that they had been the victim of a crime within the past year.117 The surge in violent crime has been particularly worrisome. In December 2009, Honduras’ top counternarcotics official was ambushed and killed in the capital by gunmen on motorcycles. In September 2010, 18 men working in a shoe factory in San Pedro Sula were apparently massacred by members of a Mexican DTO. And in January 2011, eight people were killed and three were injured when gunmen opened fire on a public bus.118 Honduras’ murder rate was already among the highest in 112 Ana Arana, “How the Street Gangs Took Central America,” Foreign Affairs, May/June 2005. 96 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Crime and Development in Central America: Caught in the Crossfire, May 2007. 97114 Information Provided to CRS by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Congressional Relations. 98115 For more information see CRS Report RL34112, Gangs in Central America and CRS Report R40135, Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues, by Clare Ribando Seelke. 99 House Armed Services Committee, Posture Statement of Gen. Bantz Craddock, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, March 9, 2005. Congressional Research Service 20 Honduran-U.S. Relations that 200 metric tons of cocaine transited Honduras in 2009, largely through remote and poorly controlled areas, such as the country’s north coast. This confluence of gangs and DTOs has led to increasing rates of crime and violence. According to Vanderbilt University’s 2010 Americas Barometer, 14% of Honduran citizens reported that they had been the victim of a crime within the past year.100 The surge in violent crime has been particularly worrisome. In December 2009, Honduras’ top counternarcotics official was ambushed and killed in the capital by gunmen on motorcycles. In September 2010, 18 men working in a shoe factory in San Pedro Sula were apparently massacred by members of a Mexican DTO. And in January 2011, eight people were killed and three were injured when gunmen opened fire on a public bus.101 Honduras’ murder rate was already among the highest in R41731, Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress, by Peter J. Meyer and Clare Ribando Seelke and CRS Report RL34112, Gangs in Central America, by Clare Ribando Seelke. 116 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Crime and Development in Central America: Caught in the Crossfire, May 2007. 117 “65% Satisfecho con Democracia,” La Prensa (Honduras), November 23, 2010. 118 U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, “International Narcotics (continued...) 113 Congressional Research Service 22 Honduran-U.S. Relations the world in 2008 at 57.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Nevertheless, it increased to 66.8 per 100,000 in 2009 and reportedly reached 77 per 100,000 in 2010.102119 Many have assumed that gangs are responsible for the increasing number of homicides; however, some recent studies have shown that the highest murder rates are not in large cities—where gangs are primarily located—but in more remote areas along strategic drug trafficking corridors. Although there have been some indications that DTOs are using gangs as hired assassins in Honduras, connections between the DTOs and gangs remain largely anecdotal and unsubstantiated.103120 Honduran Security Efforts Recent Honduran presidents have implemented varying anti-crime strategies; however, none of them have achieved much success. During his term, President Ricardo Maduro (2002-2006) increased the number of police officers and signed legislation that made maras (street gangs) illegal and gang membership punishable with 12 years in prison. Although the crackdown won popular support and initially reduced crime, its success was short-lived. Following his election, President Zelaya (2006-2009) replaced the previous administration’s zero-tolerance policy with dialogue and other outreach techniques designed to persuade gang members to reintegrate into society.104121 Failure to achieve concrete results, however, led the Zelaya Administration to shift its emphasis toward more traditional anti-gang law enforcement operations. Zelaya increased the number of police and military troops in the streets and conducted raids against suspected criminals. Nonetheless, as reflected in the statistics cited above, crime and violence in Honduras continued unabated.105crime and violence in Honduras continued unabated (as reflected in the statistics cited above). 122 President Lobo has pledged to crack down on crime and violence, and although he has backed away from his 2005 proposal to reinstate the death penalty in Honduras, he still favors a hard-line approach.106 Since taking office, Lobo has initiated a new security strategy that has deployed additional police into the poorest neighborhoods of Tegucigalpa and other large cities. In early 100 “65% satisfecho con democracia,” La Prensa (Honduras), November 23, 2010. U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report,” March 2010; “Gang massacre appalls Honduras,” Latin News Daily, September 8, 2010, “Buss massacre in Honduras,” Latin News Daily, January 7, 2011. 102 Since taking office, Lobo has deployed army troops into the streets to assist in policing and won legislative approval for several criminal justice reforms. In November 2010, the Honduran National Congress approved a new anti-terrorism law that is designed to strengthen control over land, sea, and air borders, and allow authorities to better control cash flows into the country. 123 The Congress approved another legal reform in March 2011, which lengthened prison terms.124 In June 2011, Lobo won congressional approval for a tax package designed to raise $79 million (...continued) Control Strategy Report,” March 2010; “Gang Massacre Appalls Honduras,” Latin News Daily, September 8, 2010, “Bus Massacre in Honduras,” Latin News Daily, January 7, 2011. 119 This is four times the average homicide rate in Latin America of 18 per 100,000 inhabitants. “Honduras report signals rising violenceReport Signals Rising Violence,” Latin News Daily, February 22, 2009; “Honduras has highest murder rateHighest Murder Rate in Central America,” EFE News Service, March 30, 2010; “Honduras posts startling homicide ratePosts Startling Homicide Rate,” Latin News Daily, January 18, 2011. 103120 Steven S. Dudley, Drug Trafficking Organizations in Central America: Transportistas, Mexican Cartels and Maras, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, May 2010. 104121 “Honduran Government Reaches Out to Rehabilitate Gangs,” ACAN-EFE, January 30, 2006. 101 105122 Marion Barbel, “Homicide Rate Confirms Honduras as One of Region’s Most Violent Nations,” Global Insight Daily Analysis, September 11, 2008. 106 “Honduras: Lobo seeks to unseat the PL,” Latin American Special Reports: Election Watch, 2009. Congressional Research Service 21 Honduran-U.S. Relations June 2010, the Honduran National Congress approved a measure authorizing the use of military soldiers to support the police in fighting crime. Military patrols have been deployed in large cities to reinforce police as well as to the remote Atlantic coast region to combat drug trafficking.107 In November 2010, the Honduran National Congress approved a new anti-terrorism law that reportedly includes measure to strengthen control over land, sea, and air borders, and will allow authorities to better control cash flows into the country. 108 Although 123 “Honduras Denounces Internal Armed Groups,” Latin News Daily, November 24, 2010. 124 Noé Leiva, “Gobierno de Honduras Ordena Desplegar a Militares para Combatir el Crimen,” Reuters, March 1, 2011. Congressional Research Service 23 Honduran-U.S. Relations annually to fund security efforts, and a constitutional reform that will allow the government to detain individuals for up to 48 hours without bringing them before a judge. 125 U.S. Cooperation Although security cooperation was temporarily disrupted by the 2009 political crisis, communication and coordination between U.S. law enforcement and intelligence entities and Honduras military and police elements have improved in recent years according to the 2010 INCSR. Through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI)109 and other efforts, the United States has supported a variety of anticorruption, anti-gang, police training, and maritime operations programs intended to improve Honduras’ counternarcotics capabilities. The United States has also supported efforts to strengthen Honduran judicial institutions, provide positive opportunities for youth at risk of joining gangs, and develop a national crime prevention policy. 110 Moreover, the United States funded construction of a Honduran naval base in Barra de Caratasca in the isolated Mosquitia region of northeastern Honduras to assist in interdiction operations. Overall in 2009, Honduras seized 6.6 metric tons of cocaine, 2,795 stones of crack cocaine, 923 kilograms of marijuana, and nearly 2.8 million pseudoephedrine pills. Despite these efforts, U.S. officials maintain that Honduran citizen security and counternarcotics efforts continue to face a number of challenges, including limited resources, a weak enforcement presence in sparsely populated areas, corruption within the government and law enforcement, and weak criminal investigations and prosecutions.111 Human Trafficking According to the State Department’s 2010 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, Honduras is primarily a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Many victims are trafficked from rural areas to tourist and urban locales such as Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and the Bay Islands. Destination countries for trafficked Honduran women and children include the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize. There are also foreign victims of commercial sexual exploitation in Honduras, most having been trafficked from neighboring countries, including economic migrants en route to the United States. The State Department maintains that Honduras does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it notes that the government is making significant efforts to do so. As a result, Honduras is considered a so-called “Tier 2” country. The 107 Gustavo Palencia “Nuevo Gobierno Honduras busca aplacar violencia ligada al narco,” Reuters, January 28, 2010; Freddy Cuevas, “Honduras to send soldiers into streets to aid police in combatting wave of violent crime,” Associated Press, April 13, 2010; “Militares a reforzar las operaciones policiales durante gobierno de Lobo,” La Tribuna (Honduras), June 11, 2010. 108 “Honduras denounces internal armed groups,” Latin News Daily, November 24, 2010. 109 CARSI is a package of counternarcotics and anticrime assistance for Central America, for which Congress appropriated $248 million from FY2008-2010. 110 USAID, “Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI),” May 26, 2010. 111 U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report,” March 2010. Congressional Research Service 22 Honduran-U.S. Relations 2010 report recognized the Honduran government’s law enforcement actions against sex trafficking offenders and its partnership with international organizations to provide training to government officials and members of civil society. However, the report also maintained that government services for trafficking victims remained virtually non-existent, that laws failed to prohibit trafficking for forced labor, and that the number of trafficking-related convictions had decreased. In the report, the State Department recommended that Honduras amend its antitrafficking laws to prohibit forced labor; increase efforts to investigate and prosecute all trafficking offenses; convict and sentence traffickers; improve victims’ access to shelter, aid, and essential services; develop formal procedures for identifying victims; and initiate efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking. 112since President Lobo took office. A highlevel task force, co-chaired by President Lobo and the U.S. Ambassador, convenes quarterly to oversee and direct coordination on security sector efforts. Through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI)126 and other efforts, the United States supports a variety of anticorruption, anti-gang, police training, institution building, and maritime operations programs intended to prevent crime and improve Honduras’ counternarcotics capabilities. In 2010, joint counternarcotics operations led to an increase in seizures of bulk cash and most illegal drugs. 127 Likewise, a U.S.-vetted Honduran police unit seized a cocaine processing laboratory in March 2011, the first ever discovered in Central America.128 Despite these accomplishments, some analysts have raised serious concerns about criminal infiltration of the Honduran government, which could impede future cooperation. A former member of Honduras’ Council Against Drug Trafficking reportedly has estimated that 10% of the Honduran National Congress is linked to drug traffickers.129 Recent reports also suggest that U.S. arms sold to Honduras in the past have turned up in the hands of criminal groups in Colombia and Mexico.130 According to the U.S. State Department, corruption continues to pose a challenge to Honduras and institutional changes will need to be made in order for the country to successfully expel traffickers from its territory. 131 Human Trafficking According to the State Department’s 2011 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, Honduras is primarily a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Many victims are recruited from rural areas with promises of employment and later subjected to forced prostitution in urban and tourist locales such as Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and the Bay Islands. Destination countries for trafficked Honduran women and children include Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. There are also foreign victims of commercial sexual exploitation in Honduras, most 125 “Honduras Approves New Tax to Boost Drug Fight,” Reuters, June 23, 2011; “Pese a Advertencia de Ministerio DDHH: Reforman la Constitución para Detener a Ciudadanos por 48 Horas,” El Tiempo (Honduras), June 23, 2011. 126 CARSI is a package of counternarcotics and anticrime assistance for Central America, for which Congress appropriated $260 million from FY2008-2010. For more information, see CRS Report R41731, Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress, by Peter J. Meyer and Clare Ribando Seelke. 127 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), March 3, 2011. 128 “Honduras Discovers First Mexican-Made Cocaine Lab,” Reuters, March 9, 2011. 129 Tim Johnson, “Drug Gangs Muscle Into New Territory: Central America,” McClatchy Newspapers, April 21, 2011. 130 Geoffrey Ramsey, “Cable: Honduran Military Supplied Weaponry to Cartels,” InSight: Organized Crime in the Americas, April 25, 2011. 131 U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 3, 2011. Congressional Research Service 24 Honduran-U.S. Relations having been trafficked from neighboring countries, including economic migrants en route to the United States. According to a Honduran non-governmental organization, 10,000 children in Honduras are victims of commercial sexual exploitation and some 500,000 are subject to child labor.132 The State Department maintains that Honduras does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it notes that the government is making significant efforts to do so. As a result, Honduras is considered a so-called “Tier 2” country. The 2011 report recognized the Honduran government’s law enforcement actions against child sex traffickers, the creation of a draft comprehensive anti-trafficking law, and the launch of an antitrafficking hotline. On the other hand, the report maintained that the Honduran government provided minimal services for trafficking victims, that laws failed to prohibit trafficking for forced labor, and that the number of trafficking-related convictions had decreased. The State Department report provides a number of recommendations for Honduras. These include passing a comprehensive anti-trafficking law that prohibits forced labor; increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses; ensuring that specialized services and shelter are available to trafficking victims; and developing formal procedures for identifying and assisting victims. 133 Port Security Honduras and the United States have cooperated extensively on port security. For the United States, port security emerged as an important element of homeland security in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Honduras views such cooperation as important in order to ensure the speedy export of its products to the United States, which in turn could increase U.S. investment in the country. In March 2006, U.S. officials announced the inclusion of the largest port in Honduras, Puerto Cortés, in the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI). CSI is operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security, and uses a security regime to ensure that all containers that pose a potential risk for terrorism are identified and inspected at foreign ports before they are placed on vessels destined for the United States. Honduras also participates in the Department of Energy’s Megaports Initiative, which supplies ports with equipment capable of detecting nuclear or radioactive materials, and the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI), which deploys equipment capable of scanning containers for radiation and information risk factors before they are allowed to depart for the United States. Puerto Cortés was one of six ports around the world chosen to be part of the first phase of the SFI.113 Author Contact Information Peter J. Meyer Analyst in Latin American Affairs pmeyer@crs.loc.gov, 7-5474 Acknowledgments Mark P. Sullivan, Specialist in Latin American Affairs, contributed to this report. 112134 132 “Casa Alianza: En Honduras 10,000 Niños Sufren Explotación Sexual,” El Tiempo (Honduras), June 11, 2011. U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, “Trafficking in Persons Report,” June 2010. 113 June 2011. 134 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “DHS and DOE Launch Secure Freight Initiative,” Press Release, December 7, 2006, and “Secure Freight Initiative Becomes Fully Operational in United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Honduras,” Press Release, October 12, 2007. 133 Congressional Research Service 2325 Honduran-U.S. Relations Author Contact Information Peter J. Meyer Analyst in Latin American Affairs pmeyer@crs.loc.gov, 7-5474 Acknowledgments Mark P. Sullivan, Specialist in Latin American Affairs, contributed to this report. Congressional Research Service 26