09-22-2009, 03:20 PM
Yeah, but since the mid 1800's the United States has viewed Latin America as it's own private playground, it's sphere of influence.
I know this puts President Obama in a tough situation but I feel that the U.S. response to this has been lukewarm. In my mind, it really should have been immediate outrage, but then I have biases.
Anyway, the situation is heating up. Zelaya just yesterday <a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/09/21/world/international-honduras-zelaya.html?fta=y'>returned, staying at the Brazilian embassy</a>. The government led by Micheletti has responded by imposing a <a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/honduras/6219026/Thousands-defy-Honduras-curfew.html'>curfew which was defied.</a> Now the government is <a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-22-voa20.cfm'>breaking up the protests outside the Brazilian embassy</a>.
I think this is really important, more than just because my family is from Honduras (though that is clearly a big reason), but because it sets a precedent in this new century for what will be done in Latin America and possibly the rest of the world in case of arguably forceful take overs of power (I say arguably because the new government claims they were just following constitutional procedure).
I know this puts President Obama in a tough situation but I feel that the U.S. response to this has been lukewarm. In my mind, it really should have been immediate outrage, but then I have biases.
Anyway, the situation is heating up. Zelaya just yesterday <a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/09/21/world/international-honduras-zelaya.html?fta=y'>returned, staying at the Brazilian embassy</a>. The government led by Micheletti has responded by imposing a <a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/honduras/6219026/Thousands-defy-Honduras-curfew.html'>curfew which was defied.</a> Now the government is <a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-22-voa20.cfm'>breaking up the protests outside the Brazilian embassy</a>.
I think this is really important, more than just because my family is from Honduras (though that is clearly a big reason), but because it sets a precedent in this new century for what will be done in Latin America and possibly the rest of the world in case of arguably forceful take overs of power (I say arguably because the new government claims they were just following constitutional procedure).