by AMANDA KISTLER and JOSHUA COHEN
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent Latin America trip culminated in her visit to Guatemala on March 5 where she sat down with leaders from the region to discuss topics that included proposals to reduce narcotics trafficking in Guatemala and the normalization of relations with the new government of Honduras. In a region facing polarization, multiple security crises and extreme economic disparities, it is crucial to advance policies that uphold democratic norms, accountability and the protection of human rights. A few points from Clinton’s visit appear to contradict Washington’s commitment to these ideals.
Calling together leaders from El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and Costa Rica, Clinton called for recognition of Honduras’ new government and pushed for a normalization of relations that had been severed since June when Honduran soldiers kidnapped democratically-elected President Zelaya at gunpoint in the middle of the night and sent him on a plane to Costa Rica. In response to the coup, the Organization of American States removed Honduras from its association and many Latin American nations cut diplomatic and economic ties to pressure for Zelaya’s return. The US, however, refused to officially acknowledge the military coup, which would have forced a suspension of aid.
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