Revisiting Honduran resistance

It's been some time since I've written on the situation in Honduras and Canada's complicity in the events there

First a little history On June 28th 2009 the democratically elected Manuel Zelaya government was overthrown by the Honduran military.Zelaya was preparing to rewrite Honduras' constitution that was drafted by a previous US backed military dictatorship and institute land reforms granting land titles to the nations poor farmers known as the Campesinos. Both moves were opposed by the nations ultra rich palm plantation owners, who have laid claim to this land.

This coup was staged on the very day a referendum on a new constitution was scheduled to occur. Canada and the US under pressure from business interests in Honduras were quick to reconise the new government as soon as a sham election organised by the military was held.

Harper in fact was the first leader to officially visit Honduras after the coup. While there he promised millions in aid and an FTA. This trade pact has since been ratified by Parliament with the Liberals squarely on board

We also fund and train the Honduran national police who serve Canadian mining and other business interests there as well the palm oil oligarchs in their quest to burn out the Campesinos ( poor farmers). Canada's military also trains alongside the very Honduran military that staged the coup in the first place.

Since the coup and despite Canadian assurances that free trade will lead to a more equal and peaceful Honduras it has become one of the most dangerous places to be poor or a journalist

All this brings me to the purpose of today's post To share with you this powerful documentary on the Campesino movement to reclaim their land stolen by a handful of palm oil oligarchs

Please take the time to watch Resistencia: The Fight for the Aguan Valley



Resistencia: The Fight for the Aguan Valley from Makila, Coop on Vimeo.