At the time of the 2009 US-backed coup, Honduras had $2.48 billion in external debt. Now it has $9.25 billion. New leftist President Xiomara Castro says this odious debt is unpayable. It already eats up 50% of the government budget.
  • pingveno@lemmy.ml
    31·
    3 years ago

    I’m confused, how was this a US-backed coup? It was condemned at the highest levels at the time.

    Edit: It wasn’t officially labeled a coup by the US, but only because that designation would cut off almost all aid to Honduras, which would hurt ordinary Hondurans.

    • ezmack@lemmy.mlOP
      31·
      3 years ago

      Basically they didn’t recognize it as a coup and helped stall efforts to recognize it as such. They then provided millions in military aid over the following years. Depending how far back you want to go some of those guys were trained at school for the americas. There was a disconnect between the public/private response. My memories a little hazy it’s one of those things that was in wikileaks

      • pingveno@lemmy.ml
        11·
        3 years ago

        I was perusing the Wikipedia articles on the coup because I had recalled that there were unsubstantiated claims. There was a Wikileaks release, but it was essentially just an internal analysis that paralleled what had been said publicly.

        I found this article from The Intercept. I would recommend reading the Wikipedia articles first because the article from The Intercept is quite biased, often omitting critical information that is unflattering to former President Zelaya. For example, they never mention that the referendum was likely illegal or that it was intended to do away with presidential term limits, which are a critical tool in preventing presidents from reaching a dangerous consolidation of power.