Honduras

The Republic of Honduras is an independent country in western Central America, bordered to the west by Guatemala, to the south west El Salvador, to the south east by Nicaragua, to the south by the Pacific Ocean, to the north by the Gulf of Honduras and the Caribbean Sea. Belize (formerly "British Honduras") is 75 km away across the Gulf of Honduras.

Politics

Main article:Politics of Honduras

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See also: President of Honduras

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Honduras has five registered political parties: National Party of Honduras (Partido Nacional de Honduras:PNH)(Conservatives), Liberal Party of Honduras (Partido Liberal de Honduras:PLH), Social Democrats (Partido Innovación Nacional y Social Demócrata:PINU-SD), Social Christians (Partido Demócrata-Cristiano:DC), and Democrat Unification (Partido Unificación Democrática-UD). The PNH and PLH have ruled the country for decades. In the last 23 years, Honduras has had four Liberal presidents: Roberto Suazo Córdova, José Azcona del Hoyo, Carlos Roberto Reina, and Carlos Roberto Flores, and two Nationalists: Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero and Ricardo Maduro. The elections have been full of controversies including, questions about the nationality of Azcona and Maduro.

Related Topics:
National Party of Honduras - Liberal Party of Honduras - Roberto Suazo Córdova - José Azcona del Hoyo - Carlos Roberto Reina - Carlos Roberto Flores - Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero - Ricardo Maduro

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Roberto Suazo Cordoba ruled the country during the so called "Lost Decade" when hundreds of human rights violations were committed, and alleged political crimes were common place. In 1986, Azcona del Hoyo was elected via the "Formula B," when Azcona did not obtain the majority of votes. However, 5 Liberal candidates and 4 Nationalist were running for president at that time, and the "Formula B" required all votes from all candidates from the same party to be added together. Azcona then became the president. In 1990, Callejas won the election under the slogan "Llegó el momento del Cambio," (The time for Change is here), which was heavily criticized for resembling El Salvador's "ARENAs" political campaign. Callejas Romero gained a reputation for illicit enrichment. Callejas has been the subject of several scandals and accusations in the last two decades. In 1998, during Flores Facusse's mandate, Hurricane Mitch hit the country and all indications of economic growth were washed out in a period of 5 days.

Related Topics:
1986 - 1990 - 1998 - Hurricane Mitch

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004 separate ballots were used for mayors, congress, and president. Many more candidates were registered for 2005's election.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is to note that even though the Nationalist and Liberal parties are distinct, their interests and actions have been the same throughout the 23 years of uninterrupted "democracy". These actions have caused an immense social division in the country where a minute minority owns most of the income.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~