San Salvador: Latin American nations Honduras and El Salvador have the most murderous in the world, according to calculations made by Contraputno and based on murders rates, the best true measure of the magnitude of the phenomenon. The murder rate indicates how many murders occur for every 100,000 inhabitants.
As things stand, at the end of 2010 Honduras had a murder rate of approximately 72.8 for every 100,000 inhabitants, while El Salvador had a murder rate of 71.
Erroneous data that an international news agency diffuses tries to put Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico as the most violent countries in Latin America and the world, however their murder rates are lower than those of Honduras and El Salvador.
In fact, although in Venezuela there were 17,600 homicides (in 2010), its murder rate is 67.6 for every 100,000 inhabitants, as its populatioon is 26 million. In Colombia the mruder rate is 35.7 and in Mexico the murder rate is 14.5 for every 100,000 inhabitants.
By contrasting the figures with nations at war, such as Afghanistan and Iraq, it is notable that their murder rates are lower than the Latin American countries mentioned. In Afghanistan the approximate murder rate was 14 and in Iraq, 18.
The world average murder rate is 8 per 100,000 inhabitants. Rates higher than 10 are considered epidemics by the World Health Organization (WHO).
To celebrate the Clintons' (both of 'em) arrival and hangout in Colombia, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC, the world's biggest union body) released its annual survey of world deaths due to trade union activity today. Here's how the numbers look in chart form.
There has been no improvement in the plight of trade unionists on the American continent, undoubtedly owing to the impunity enjoyed by those responsible for trade union rights violations. This is, in substance, the main conclusion that can be drawn from the "Americas" section of the International Trade Union Confederation’s 2010 report on trade union rights violations around the world. It is not surprising that this continent continues to be the most deadly for trade unionists, especially in Colombia, where 48 were killed this year alone.
The American continent has long been the scene of anti-union murders, chiefly in Colombia, Guatemala (16) and Honduras (12), together with abductions, death threats, attacks and even raids on trade unionists’ homes.
Whilst Latin America may have shown greater resistance to the financial turmoil than other parts of the world, the global financial and economic crises have had a profound impact on the region’s real economy. The ITUC annual survey explains that many governments, such as that of Costa Rica, have used the crisis as a pretext for further weakening trade union rights, adopting measures, for example, to increase labour flexibility.
In Colombia, the world’s most dangerous country for trade unionists (Colombia accounts for 60% of all the murders committed around the world on the grounds of trade union activities), the endemic climate of anti-unionism would appear to have become even more deeply rooted. In addition to the many reported murders, there are the cases that have not been registered, as well as the attempted murders, disappearances and death threats. Violence against women is also on the rise: five of the 48 trade unionists assassinated were women. The facts established in the ITUC report point clearly to the fact that the impunity enjoyed by those responsible for these crimes erases any hope of eradicating the anti-union climate in Colombia continues here.
This must be why Mish Shedlock extols the virtues of Colombia. The full ITUC report or the regional sections thereof can be downloaded here.
On Feb 24th, Claudia Larissa Brizuela, 36, was shot dead by masked assassins when answering her door in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. She was the daughter of the well-known social activist Pedro Brizuela, one of the leaders of the Honduras movement "Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular" (FNRP) that also counted on Clarissa as an active member.
The assassination came the day before a large protest march by the FNRP in Honduras. It also came on Clarissa's 36th birthday. She leaves behind a husband and two sons, Said, 2, and Eduard, 8.
This is the third openly political assassination recorded in Honduras since new president Porfirio Lobo took power. The other victims, Vanessa Zepeda and Julio Fúnez, were also killed in similar style as Clarissa, the M.O being a small band of paramilitaries that used multiple shots to the head at close range.
Following the inauguration of Porfirio Lobo as President of Honduras, ex-Prez Zelaya got to leave the Brazilian embassy this afternoon and before getting on his plane bound for Dom. Rep was met at the airport by the new mandate, Lobo (translation 'wolf'...just sayin'). Here's Honduras Coup 2009 with a bang up-to-date report. I'm only putting up a few lines here to get you to go over to the author's page cos that's fair, so click through for the rest:
Manuel Zelaya Rosales went by car from the Brazilian embassy to Toncontin International Airport about 20 minutes ago and arrived at the airforce base there. He was accompanied by his wife, a daughter, Rasel Tomé and escorted by President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, fresh from his inauguration ceremony, President Colom of Guatemala, and President Fernandez of the Dominican Republic. At the same time, the other people within the Brazilian embassy who (continues here)
Honduras had a 2009 in the limelight thanks to the coupmonger Micheletti stomping all over its citizens' fragile sense of democracy. And so with today's events done with and some sort of quasi-normality restored, Honduras can go back to its previous role of being a corrupt little country that nobody gives a shit about.
Via The Mex Files (not even the common decency, etc etc) I hear that I've been too harsh on Matthew Yglesias because of his comment about Ecuador having seen a coup this year (and not Honduras).
Rich and Otto – please stop. Neither of you read Yglesias regularly, so isn’t it a little bit lazy/intellectually dishonest on your part to launch such “thorough” critiques of him on the basis a tossed-off line at the end of one post?
Alas, this has turned into something of a minor issue within the Lat-Am blogging community, who have decided that Yglesias is some sort of hopeless idiot.
So here's the point:
1) You got a nasty case of straw man there. Also, what's this "please stop" when I make mention of the subject just once? Bleeding heart liberal blogger that can't abide the fact that progressives make errors too. WTF? What world do you live on?
2) You confuse idiocy with ignorance. For sure Yglesias is no idiot (in fact it takes an idiot to infer that on the basis of a couple of lines). What he is, however, is ignorant. As mentioned previously, it's perfectly ok to be ignorant of LatAm affairs...I mean, I'm utterly ignorant on MidEast affairs, or Myanmar, or Mongolia, or a thousand other subjects....but you do not, and get this straight, do NOT have the right to pontificate if you cannot get the most basic of base facts correct. Not even in a "wrap up the year" world geopolitical review of 2009. This is triple-true when you have a high profile as one of these professional experts that make a living via words spoken on social/political affairs.
3) We, down here, are pig sick of you up there telling us how to live our lives, what we should or shouldn't be doing and proferring wise saws and modern instances when, at the same time, you think the capital of Brazil is Montevideo, if water goes down the plughole clockwise or anticlockwise really makes a freakin' difference to life, Hugo Chávez is the President of South America, Colombia is spelled with a 'U', Ecuador comes equipped with a 'Q', how said country suffered a coup in 2009 and not Honduras, there's no colour TV or broadband internet South of the Rio Grande, Macchu Pichu was built by the Aztecs, Colombia has no real political risk problems and them there Mexicans don't know how to make a burrito right, do they?
And so, when we make a stand and point out a glaring dumbass error that is totally deserving of ridicule, we're the ones in the wrong! Fuck you Yamascuna, you Uncle Tom blogger. That clear enough for you?
As Gancho points out, it wouldn't be so bad for a Miss Carolina candidate, but this Yglesias is supposedly an expert on foreign policy and has written books on the subject.
But for all that, this has really been a year without a major international crisis. Russia hasn’t invaded any foreign countries. No terrorist attacks have struck the United States. The handling of the coup in Ecuador was, I think, quite deft but this was hardly a major event in the scheme of things.
Y'know, sometimes I think I'm aiming too high. Maybe I should write a book called "LatAm: What you need to know so you don't sound like a total dumbass". Pulitzer!
Oh noes! Reports of Canadian mining companies murdering Mexicans aren't confined to stooopid blogs any more. Seems there have been three arrests in the Mariano Abarca Robledo murder case and amazingly, astoundingly, incredibly the people are Blackfire people. Hoodathunkit? Hey fringe loonies, send your next batch of unhinged mails to Reuters, Globe'n'Mail, CTV and all their goddam lefty pals.
Chile goes to the polls this weekend to elect a new prez. Although its very unlikely that we'll see an outright winner and a ballotage is set to happen, Reuters runs a "what the candidates want to do with the Chilean mining industry" report that's useful for you mineheads out there. Here's the link.
Lithium Junior Miners = Snake oil Salesmen, part 1,496. Just ain't gonna happen, sheeple.
A classic press release from Connie Mack regarding Bolivia's elections. Despite all world bodies being present in the Bolivian elections and declaring them a shining example of fair voting, and despite no overseeing body being present in the Honduras farce that has already been shown as utterly rigged, Connie (probably jealous that he needs FakeTan while Evo got da real thang) says that...
“Morales’ close relationship to Chavez and his anti-freedom and anti-democracy actions threaten the freedom, security and prosperity of Bolivia and the entire hemisphere. Perhaps Morales should travel to Honduras to get a lesson in how democracy actually works in Latin America.”
...errrrr...yeah, dude....whatevs. Democracy is always more refreshing when tanks and souljas are in da house, police brutality reigns and that extrajudicial bodycount goes haywire.
Here's a question for you: Why does the USA get all hot and bothered about voter fraud in Iranian elections but totally ignores the most blatant vote rigging and number manipulation possible when it comes to the joke election in Honduras?
"Honduran coup regime's claims about 60% turnout at free and fair elections is revealed as fraud. Also implicated in the video are the wide array of media outlets and governments that have unquestioningly accepted the electoral data of a regime that overthrew the last elected president."
This Real News Network video blows the lid off the affair in this must watch 12 minute report. Hat tip delacour at LANR.
In Uruguay, as expected José Mujica won the run-off and will be Uruguay's next President. From the same party as the very popular President Tabaré Vasquez, Mujica made a good, conciliatory acceptance speech last night which included:
"Remember on this night of celebration fellow citizens that are sad and who are our blood brothers. There are no winners or losers. We have just elected a government that is not the owner of the truth and who needs everybody."
That works for me. I still have my reservations about the guy because his abrasive, straight-shooting style is bound to ruffle feathers on the international scene sooner or later (I've heard him in Spanish, you'll soon get the English translations coming your way) but as long as he keeps his electoral promise and is the continuation of Tabaré's governmental line, Uruguay should be ok.
So in Uruguay the President Elect says there were no winners or losers. Meanwhile in Honduras everyone lost.
Vote one is the run-off for the presidency of Uruguay, part of a normal democratic process.
Vote two is the sham in Honduras. Rather than spill here, I suggest you go over the Honduras Coup 2009 post here that hits on the four main issues about tomorrow's smoke'n'mirrors espectaculaire in Honduras. Apart from making the mistake of giving any credence to an apologist called Boz it's an excellent round-up of things and looks carefully at all sides of the issue. Here's how the article ends
Far from "starting from zero", as President Obama suggested, the situation in Honduras on Monday will stay precisely where it is-- with added sources of conflict provided by what will without a doubt be disputes about the Sunday vote.
I haven't been posting much on the trainwreck that is Honduras, mainly because 1) it was never my specialist subject in the first place and 2) other blogs know one squillion time more about the scene and have been pounding out quality information non-stop these last four months.
For a decent perspective of the current situation, go the TheMexFiles (hero bloggers) and check out this entry, The Diplomacy of Deceit, that neatly sums it all up.
But hey, since when has public opinion been important? Or rule of law? Or democracy? From GGR Research (with H/T to borev)
Honduran President Mel Zelaya Retains Public Support
Para leer la gacetilla de prensa en español por favor presione aquí o baje con el cursor. October 23, 2009. Washington, DC. Nearly four months after Honduran President Mel Zelaya was forced from office, he retains considerable public support, according to a new survey by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner.
By a large 22-point margin (60 to 38 percent), the Honduran public disapproves of the removal on June 28 of Zelaya as president.
Two-thirds approve of Zelaya’s performance as president. Nineteen percent rated his performance as “excellent” and another 48 percent as “good.”
The national survey, which involved face-to-face interviews with 621 randomly selected Hondurans from October 9-13, found that Zelaya is considerably more popular than Roberto Micheletti, who has been serving as de facto president. By a 2-1 margin (57 to 28 percent), Hondurans have a negative personal opinion of Micheletti. And a slight majority gives Micheletti’s tenure as president negative marks.
Hondurans are eager to participate in the elections scheduled for November 28, according to the survey, but there is widespread concern about their being held with Micheletti in office. Eighty-one percent think the elections should take place, but only a bare majority (54 percent) believes they would be legitimate if held under the acting government.
“The international community’s rejection of the coup reflects the views held by most Hondurans,” said Mark Feierstein, partner and vice president of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner. “Mel Zelaya should not have been forcibly removed from office.”
The survey also found that Hondurans retain relatively positive views of the United States. Hondurans divide evenly on their view of President Barack Obama, while 83 percent have a negative impression of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Back on Monday IKN ran this post about how a bunch of Washingston DC lobbyist shysters called Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (crazy names, crazy guys) were about to be given the "we're not afraid of shouting at your walls" treatment by a bunch of protestors. CLS&A (I'm sure they won't mind me abbreviating) has been found taking the 30 pieces of silver from the coupmonger turds in Honduras and have been paid the neat'n'cool sum of U$350,000 to lobby the politicos and tell them "look, fascism isn't That bad..really".
The good news is that Revolter, the loyal sidekick of da boooorev, was there at the scene and has just posted this report on how the whole thing went down. Go check it out, good job Revolter and down with moneygrabbing DC scum forevahs.
I found this in my mailbox this morning. Well worth passing on.
Think military coups are "Bad" but can't be bothered to protest?
Querid@s camaradas,
Imperialism has once again found new allies and methods to try to subvert democracy in Latin America. Help us fight back against the human rights challenged Honduran coup government and their big money apoligists in one of two ways. Or both (C'mon it can't just be 3 dodgy Central Americans and a professorat the protest, people)
Obviously, everyone would sooo love to tell Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates in person what they think of their acceptance of $300,000 worth of blood-stained greenbacks in order to help the golpistas de mierda (coup government) sabotage negotiations and pathetically try to maintain their illegal reign through repression and fantasyland propaganda. But hey, maybe you can't make it to the protest because you are detained without charge in an Honduran prison, or because of "work" or some unhealthy fear of the "spooks". If so, we will not doubt your revolutionary zeal THIS TIME, but only if you sign on to the email;) Use your real name. Or not. Whatever works for you. Or else the terrorists win: http://www.SOAW.org/clsa
To summarize, if you are a:
1) Gold star super duper avenger of all that is just and beautiful:
2) Bronze medal "I don't ever want to have to say 'Micheletti' again, but believe it or not I have full-time employment and/or am lazy" freedom defender:
Online Action : Now, tomorrow, next week, very late at night in the hope that their email accounts and blackberries are synced.
Which is extremely common within the douchebag community, so . . .
¿Quién dijo miedo? Aquí nadie se rinde! El pueblo hondureño y sus aliados en pie de lucha!
I heart Machetera. Here's the start, click thru to read the rest. Seriously, quel sac de douche:
Lewis Amselem, the head of the U.S. delegation to the Organization of American States (OAS), who called President Manuel Zelaya’s return to his country “irresponsible” and “foolish” was denounced years ago for having concealed the identities of individuals, one of whom was a U.S. national, who tortured and raped a U.S. nun in Guatemala.
If Jesus Christ is too communist for you please ignore the following. If you are a normal, adjusted person, please take action. TY reader DB for the headsup.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September28,2009
U.S. RELIGIOUS DELEGATION TO HONDURAS CALLS ON U.S. GOVERNMENT TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Stephanie Heiland
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
314.909.4633
As the crisis in Honduras explodes with last week's unexpected return of President Zelaya and now with the suspension of Hondurans' constitutional rights, the Sisters of Mercy Institute Justice Team is meeting with U.S. policy makers, including Administration and Congressional offices, urging them to speak out strongly and publicly in denouncing the excessive force and brutal human rights violations committed by the de facto Honduran government.
This call for immediate action to address the emergency situation in Honduras is included in a report issued by a U.S. religious delegation to Honduras which visited Honduras August 18-25, 2009. The delegation's report documents key findings following meetings with legal, government, church and humanitarian officials and agencies in Honduras, as well as on-site testimonials from dozens of Hondurans who reported horrific human rights violations.
Organized by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Team with the support of Quixote Center/Quest for Peace, this U.S. religious delegation was in response to requests from religious partners and community organizations in Honduras for international accompaniment following the June 28, 2009 coup in Honduras.
Delegation members included Jean Stokan, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Director of the Institute Justice Team; Diane Guerin, RSM, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Mid-Atlantic Community Justice Coordinator; Edia Lopez, RSM, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Caribbean, Central America and South America Community; and Marie Dennis, Co-President of Pax Christi International.
"We urge the U.S. to be unequivocal in the signals it gives to the de facto Honduran government on the need to return to constitutional order," said Stokan. "The hope is that once constitutional order is restored, the challenges around addressing the deep polarization in society can be advanced. Too much is at stake not to proceed in this direction."
To access a summary report and full report from U.S. Religious Delegation to Honduras: Go to www.sistersofmercy.org
Screenshot from the video below that clearly shows the tear gas being used by Honduras police to put down pro-Zelaya protestors is from Peru's National Police Force
It was something that your humble servant (and commenters to IKN) first noted yesterday when mentioned in Al Giordano's incisive article on the latest developments in Honduras.
"We can also see in that video the revelation that the tear gas canisters shot by the National Police yesterday were stamped as property of the government of Perú..."
Today it's been a subject that's made it to headlines in Peruvian media and questions being asked by respected members of congress in Peru's parliament.
Is Peru helping the illegal government of Micheletti? Is Peru providing vital logistical support to Honduras police and armed forces to help them repress the pro-Zelaya protestors? The evidence is pretty clear on one score; those tear-gas canisters used by Honduras police officers on Wednesday are clearly marked "Policía Nacional Del Perú" (no translation needed, I trust).
You'll see them on this video at minute 1:40 (about 2/3rds of the way through). It couldn't be printed any more clearly. The man in the shot says (translated), "This is the type of bomb the police use to repress us. The USA sent them to the Peruvian police and the Peruvian police sent (them) to Honduras. How can this be? What explanation can be given for this?".
Peruvian daily La Primera quotes opposition member of congress Fredy Otárola this way:
It's "very serious" that tear gas canisters carrying the inscription "Policía Nacional Del Perú" are being used by Honduran police because it is evidence that the government of president Alan García is supporting the coupmonger government of Roberto Micheletti."
The director of Peru's National Coordinator of Human Rights, Ronald Gamarra:
"...demanded that the minister of the interior, Octavio Salazar, explained how the tear gas got to Honduras."
Opposition parliamentarian Yonhy Lescano (ottonote: one of a rare breed of honest politicos in Peru) said that he would ask minister Salazar explain the situation to parliament (ottonote: a formal situation in Peru that is used when a situation is suitably serious) and to ask him to clarify whether Peru's government is supplying the illegal Honduras government.
Even the ruling APRA party is a seat of dissent, with APRA congress member Edgar Nuñez saying
"...it is very serious that the police has sent tear gas to Honduras."
Peru needs to make a clear statement right now. It has taken a weak line of support for Zelaya, but all the same Peru's official position is to support the Oscar Arias plan that reinstates Zelaya to power. It also voted not to recognize the Micheletti coup government with all other UNASUR members. Is Peru sneakily helping Micheletti behind everyone's back? We need to be told.
UPDATE: A few minutes ago and via press release, Peru's national police force stated that it hadn't sold, donated of given in any way any tear gas canisters to Honduras and it was all some administrative error blamed on a company in Honduras.
OH WELL, THAT'S ALL RIGHT THEN. NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT HERE.
In fact the only people that have to worry are those who dare to report this piece of news, because at the end of the press release the PNP stated (translation):
"The right to begin legal actions in order the preserve the image of the country and of the police is reserved."
I'm having one of those ScoobyDoo we-wudda-gotten-away-with-it-too-if-it-weren't-for-you-pesky-kids-and-that-dawg moments again. Funny how they spring up so often these days....
I'm shamelessly stealing the cool Latuff cartoon that accompanies Al Giordano's piece on Honduras, Brazil, what Lula said today at the UN and lots of et ceteras. But to read the most excellent analysis you have to click this link and go over to his website. Well worth your trouble. Go go go.
President Zelaya in the Brazilian embassy, photo taken this morning. Outside, 150 arrests and an army/police cordon around the embassy. Photo and report here (Spanish language).
