So, if you haven't heard (because it has been all but missing from the news), Honduras experienced both an
earthquake and a
Coup on Sunday. A few hours from the U.S. by plane, and little notice. Well, it
is the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere...
Apparently six were killed in the earthquake, which struck just north of Roatan in the Bay Islands - a gorgeous, relatively unknown string of coral and hilly islands in the Caribbean Sea.
I started this blog, partly, to try to generate greater understanding of Honduras (and interest in responsible tourism there). For over 100 years, Hondurans have been subject to the whims and wants of the elites (whether by U.S. - backed dictators, U.S. international fruit companies - United and Standard Fruit - or at the hands of the IMF, World Bank, and USAID). Now they are continually seen as only a source of cheap labor for many of our favorite brands here in America. Even today, you can go through the countryside and see many plantations of banana or coconut sitting idle and succumbing to disease while the local people can't even manage or eat from the plantations. The following photo was shot en route to the Cuero Y Salado National Wildlife Refuge.
These coconut palms (owned by United Fruit, now Chiquita) are on land right next to a local village (who used to work the plantation). The company closed this plantation, yet if anyone is caught taking any coconuts, they will be arrested and fined an amount that they may not even make in a year. Oh, and coconuts are the primary source of nutrition for Caribbean Hondurans.
Fortunately, the Honduran Government only reports 6 deaths from the magnitude 7.1 quake, and no deaths from the Coup... though protests, both in support of, and opposition to, the ousted president Manuel Zelaya have been rampant. Apparently, the Honduran Constitution only allows for one 4-year term per president. Zelaya sought to change that, starting with an unofficial referendum that was scheduled for Sunday... the referendum never happenned because of the coup. Zelaya scheduled the referendum despite the supreme court declaring it illegal.
Zelaya's relationship with Hugo Chavez, as well as his programs to help the poor, has tainted his reputation with conservative politicians and business elites, even though he rose to power with the support of the country's more conservative elements. He is now labled as a socialist; but if you go to Honduras, you will see that the majority of citizens are simply fending for themselves.
For the past few decades, Honduras has seen a relatively stable democracy, contributing to a growing tourism industry. It has been known as the next eco-tourism hotspot, following Costa Rica's example. This will undoubtedly be a major setback. It is my assertion that conservative leadership will still pursue tourism, but not in a responsible manner. The Honduras Institute of Tourism, in conjunction with the federal government, has seen to it that communally held lands of the
Garifuna people are systematically stripped from them to build massive Sun and Sand resort complexes (e.g.
Los Micos Beach and Golf Resort); threatening the delicate ecosystems, that provide subsistence for the people, with golf courses that will use most available fresh water and dump fertilizer and pesticide into their fishing grounds. Fortunately, there have been interested parties (like
Tropical Classroom Expeditions and workers in the national park system) that are working to put the power of tourism in the hands of local people. I will have more on this in posts to come.
I will be honest, this is a pitch. Not for any particular company or service, but for Honduras in general. It amazes me that bloggers aren't really talking about this (correct me if I am wrong). I mean the whole region hasn't seen a coup or war in decades; this is a big deal. I just hope it doesn't get bigger. This is a beautiful country with some of the region's most colorful people and a rich history of thousands of years. From the Art and Language capital of the Mayan culture (the ruins of
Copán), to the ongoing existence of a unique culture of escaped slaves (The Garifuna), Honduras has alot more to offer than poverty and strife. But the real question remains... what can we offer Honduras?
What you can offer personally, is to learn about it. To talk about it. To not ignore it. To spend your travel dollars somewhere that it will make a positive local difference. Just a small portion of revenues actually stay in-country at most internationally-owned hotels and resorts (this is called "leakage"). Whereas, when you stay at a locally-owned hotel, you can be assured that the money you spend will stay in the community and contribute to the health and prosperity of the locals.
We always say NIMBY (Not in My BackYard), right? Well, Honduras
IS our backyard!
I welcome your comments or questions; thanks for reading.
