From the January-February 2018 issue of News & Letters

The U.S.-supported right-wing president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, stole the Nov. 26 election. When it became clear challenger Salvador Nasralla was winning the vote count was delayed until at last Hernandez was declared the winner by 1.5%.

Hernandez was only able to run for reelection because the Honduran Supreme Court threw out the constitutional one-term limit for the presidency. It was a cynical second act to the 2009 coup that overthrew leftist President Manuel Zelaya.

People took to the streets in response, blocking roads and fighting with security forces who attacked with tear gas and live ammunition. At least 31 people were killed, most shot in the back.

They were killed by military police who receive massive U.S. aid, ostensibly to combat violent street gangs. The government outrageously claims that gang members were behind the protests.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Hernandez’ former minister for investment promotion, Yankel Rosenthal, was just sentenced to three years for laundering drug money.

—Gerry Emmett