Denunciar y desconocer la farsa electoral en Honduras

Llamamiento internacional a denunciar y desconocer la farsa electoral en Honduras 

Las organizaciones sociales, políticas y solidarias así como personas a título individual abajo firmantes declaramos:

1. El golpe de Estado en Honduras, con la participación cómplice de Estados Unidos, y materializado por Michelleti y su régimen de facto, carga con 21 personas asesinadas, existen 4 mil 234 denuncias por violación de las libertades fundamentales, 7 atentados, 95 amenazas de muerte, 133 casos de torturas, 394 personas con lesiones y 211 heridas a causa de la represión, 1.987 detenciones ilegales, 2 intentos de secuestro y 114 presos políticos acusados de sedición. Y cada día que pasa estas cifras siguen aumentando.

2. Los golpistas se mantienen en el poder demostrando con este gesto su profundo desprecio por la democracia y su nulo reconocimiento del derecho soberano de los pueblos a expresarse a través del voto.
El tiempo ha demostrado que tanto las maniobras del gobierno norteamericano, como las de la OEA, sumisa a sus intereses, no pretendían defenderla, sino simplemente dilatar, obstruir y finalmente apoyar a quienes ahora pretenden desarrollar una farsa electoral .

3. Al cumplirse la fecha del 30 de octubre, Estados Unidos ha creído oportuno maniobrar y posibilitar el acuerdo entre el Gobierno presidido por Manuel Zelaya Rosales y los golpistas, el llamado Acuerdo Tegucigalpa/San José, lo que llevaría a legitimar las elecciones del 29 de noviembre y que el movimiento popular no pudiera llegar con potenciales posibilidades a las mismas.
Los golpistas han incumplido el acuerdo. El presidente constitucional continúa cercado en la embajada de Brasil, la represión persiste. En un gesto de cinismo sin límites, Estados Unidos se ha apresurado a declarar que reconocerá las elecciones. El Presidente Manuel Zelaya Rosales ha denunciado la total impunidad con que se van a desarrollar las elecciones del 29 de noviembre. El Frente Nacional de Resistencia y otras fuerzas democráticas han anunciado asimismo, que no acudirá a las urnas y boicoteará la farsa electoral.

4. La mayoría de medios de comunicación, al servicio de la oligarquía, los imperialismos y sus trasnacionales, ya dan por solucionada la crisis y quieren legitimar las elecciones del 29 de noviembre de 2009. A pesar de este esfuerzo coordinado y mediático por dar por finalizada la crisis, la lucha del pueblo hondureño continúa y reitera sus demandas:
1. Restitución incondicional del Presidente Manuel Zelaya Rosales a la presidencia de la República de Honduras restaurando la situación existente con anterioridad al día 28 de junio de 2009

2. Desconocimiento del proceso electoral del 29 de noviembre de 2009.

3. Tras la ruptura del orden constitucional por la casta política oligárquica, más que nunca: Convocatoria de Asamblea Constituyente.

4. Juicio y castigo a los golpistas y sus cómplices.
También, sumándonos a estas demandas legítimas del pueblo hondureño, pedimos a los Gobiernos e instituciones internacionales no reconocer las elecciones del 29 de noviembre, no enviar ningún tipo de comisión o misión de observadores internacionales y mantener la presión política, económica y financiera contra la dictadura cívico-militar impuesta por la oligarquía y el imperialismo, así como desconocer a las autoridades espurias que pretendan presentarse como representantes electos del pueblo Hondureño.

Libertad para el pueblo de Honduras.

Barcelona noviembre de 2009

Assemblea de Solidaritat amb el Poble Hondureny de Catalunya

Para adherirse: asp.hondureny@gmail.com

The United States seeks to surround Chavez as it surrounded Allende

Caracas, Nov 20 ABN.- The United States, just as it did in Chile during the coup d'etat it leaded against Salvador Allende, which ended in the assassination of the Chilean president, tries now to apply the same recipe against the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias; for that it tries to besiege militarily the country.

This way Gonzalo Mesa Allende, grandson of the former Chilean president, referred to the establishment of seven military bases from the United States in Colombian territory, during his speech at the International Encounter of Left-wing Parties, in which take part 150 delegates coming from about 40 countries of around the world.

Though Mesa Allende warned that the correlation of forces in the world has changed, since the United States has no more the mask of world power, he affirmed that the threat persists because a North American attack against Venezuela would be carried out at second hand.

“Hardly ever the United States has acted militarily in the region, except in small countries such as Grenada, Panama and the Dominican Republic. With a country like Venezuela, in this new world context, they would not dare to act directly,” he said.

The United States seems to fear the process of democratic changes leaded by President Chavez since 10 years ago in Venezuela, as it feared the socialist Chile of Salvador Allende in 1973.

“Venezuela has proved, as it occurred in my country, that socialism can be built in democracy, in peace and in compliance with the reality of each nation without the need of copying the soviet model as if we were setting a computer program,” Mesa Allende expressed.

Moreover, he highlighted the participation of the citizenship on the decision making in great issues that impact the people and therefore he praised the leadership of the Venezuelan citizen in Venezuela since the Bolivarian Revolution arrived in 1999.

“In Venezuela, citizens are consulted not only to choose public officials in time of election, but they are also leaders in affairs of huge relevance, such as the possibility of amending or reforming the Constitution of the Republic or revoking a term to a governor,” he said.

Mesa Allende gave recognition to the level reached by Socialism in Venezuela and the credibility in the democratic institutions of the country.

Therefore, he referred to the Venezuelan electoral system, which announced the victory of the amendment to the national Constitution but which had previously determined the defeat of the constitutional reform that had been presented by the Venezuelan Executive.

Uribe’s Minister launches new provocations against Venezuela

Caracas, Nov 19. ABN.- Once again, the Government of Colombia is on the side of illegalities and distorting the truth, as it stated that it will denounce Venezuela before international organs for the blow of two border bridges, which were used for smuggling, drug trafficking and the paramilitarism, alleging that said action violates international humanitarian rights.

“We are witnesses of a new provocation, another manipulation of the Colombian Government, because they are making reference to border bridges, international bridges, as if said bridges [the ones that were destroyed] were legal,” said the Vice-President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Ramon Carrizalez, in response to the statements made by the Colombian defense Minister Gabriel Silva Lujan. The latter told media that “people in uniform arrived in the Venezuelan side, apparently part of the Venezuelan Army; localized two pedestrian crossings linking communities of both sides –civilian bridges built by communities itself; and the people in uniform blasted them in the Venezuelan side to affect the normal life of civilian population.”

In a telephone contact with the Venezuelan state-owned television channel Venezolana de Television (VTV), Carrizalez cleared up that “the border crossings have to be convened by both governments, with the presence of both States, with customs and the rest of the regular inspection points. However, when we find improvised crossings in non-convened places or any other kind of construction used for smuggling and drug trafficking, we are obliged to exercise our sovereignty.

“We have never passed to the Colombian territory or attacked that country as they are pretending. They want to qualify us as the aggressors to generate a media campaign, in which they would be seen as victims, trying to hide the reality of a Colombia that has been transformed into a great Yankee military base putting in risk the stability of all the South American countries,” the Vice President said.

Carrizalez reminded that the Government of Colombia “kidnapped in Venezuela a Colombian citizen and took him by force back to his country; we must also remember the attack of which Ecuador was victim; the accomplice manner in which the Government of Colombia let the drugs pass to our country; and the paramilitarism supported by the Colombian Government that has passed the border to Venezuela.

“When we analyze all those elements, which are enough to denounce Colombia as an outlaw Government, it is clear who the aggressor and the warmonger is and it does not cause any surprise the statements made by Colombian officials, because they are trying to hide that they handed over the sovereignty of their country,” said the Venezuelan Vice- President.

The bridges, located over the Tachira River (Venezuela) border with the department of Norte de Santander (Colombia), are clandestine crossings or shortcuts used by drug dealers, paramilitaries and smugglers.

In this sense, Carrizalez reiterated that “we will continue enforcing international laws. Our country is a victim of drug trafficking and paramilitarism; thousands of Colombians come to our country displaced by the war in their country, due to the lack of attention of their Government that does not care Colombians to move out from their territory, because the Government is getting rid of a social problem. Said Government is just an oligarchy that only cares its businesses and the control over media outlets, but not the country.”

Regarding the current situation in the border between Colombia and Venezuela, Carrizalez stated that the activities are taking place normally as well as the operations at the border crossings legally convened.

Socialism and capitalism confront in Latin America

Caracas, Nov 19 ABN.- Latin America is currently within a crusade starred by two contrary ideologies: capitalism, which seek to accelerate the processes of hyperconcentration of wealth; and socialism, which involves the unification of Latin America as part of the cooperation and respect to sovereignty.

The above statement was issued by the vice president for the Andean region of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Ali Rodriguez Araque, during his speech at the opening of the International Encounter of Left-wing Parties.

“Two stances confront nowadays: that which shaped under the guidance of the FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas, devised by the United States); and the nascent ALBA (Alliance for the People of our America),” he stated.

Therefore, Rodriguez Araque recalled that one of the consequences generated by the capitalist policies has been the collapse of the economic system in different countries, while the approaches coming from the ALBA have boosted the regional integration and solidarity among the nations.

“The FTAA has intended to become our complete America into a broad market, where there would theoretically compete freely the economic forces in equal terms, but which would have simply worked to accelerate the processes of monopolization and hyperconcentration of wealth that the world underwent and which, somehow, it continues living under the overpowering thesis of neoliberalism, today in complete bankruptcy,” he said.

Rodriguez Araque called to strengthen the left in Latin America so as to boost the sovereignty of the people and guarantee independence and social welfare in the continent.

According to the PSUV leader, the encounter of left-wing parties was organized precisely with the purpose of devising strategies that would allow us consolidate the integration and to boost a solid political movement, “to guarantee the peace that people claim.”

“That is indeed the goal that has met us here today. We are sure that at the end it will take us to the goal, which is coordinating our efforts so as to confront the risk of aggression against our countries,” he stressed.

An official document from the Departament of the US Air Force

An official document from the Department of the US Air Force reveals that the military base in Palanquero, Colombia will provide the Pentagon with “…an opportunity for conducting full spectrum operations throughout South America…”

Eva Golinger

Traducción no oficial al español: descargar aquí

This information contradicts the explainations offered by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and the US State Department regarding the military agreement signed between the two nations this past October 30th. Both governments have publicly stated that the military agreement refers only to counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations within Colombian territory. President Uribe has reiterated numerous times that the military agreement with the US will not affect Colombia’s neighbors, despite constant concern in the region regarding the true objetives of the agreement. But the US Air Force document, dated May 2009, confirms that the concerns of South American nations have been right on target. The document exposes that the true intentions behind the agreement are to enable the US to engage in “full spectrum military operations in a critical sub-region of our hemisphere where security and stability is under constant threat from narcotics funded terrorist insurgencies…and anti-US governments…”

The military agreement between Washington and Colombia authorizes the access and use of seven military installations in Palanquero, Malambo, Tolemaida, Larandia, Apíay, Cartagena and Málaga. Additionally, the agreement allows for “the access and use of all other installations and locations as necessary” throughout Colombia, with no restrictions. Together with the complete immunity the agreement provides to US military and civilian personnel, including private defense and security contractors, the clause authorizing the US to utilize any installation throughout the entire country - even commercial aiports, for military ends, signifies a complete renouncing of Colombian sovereignty and officially converts Colombia into a client-state of the US.

The Air Force document underlines the importance of the military base in Palanquero and justifies the $46 million requested in the 2010 budget (now approved by Congress) in order to improve the airfield, associated ramps and other installations on the base to convert it into a US Cooperative Security Location (CSL). “Establishing a Cooperative Security Location (CSL) in Palanquero best supports the COCOM’s (Command Combatant’s) Theater Posture Strategy and demonstrates our commitment to this relationship. Development of this CSL provides a unique opportunity for full spectrum operations in a critical sub-region of our hemisphere where security and stability is under constant threat from narcotics funded terrorist insurgencies, anti-US governments, endemic poverty and recurring natural disasters.”

It’s not difficult to imagine which governments in South America are considered by Washington to be “anti-US governments”. The constant agressive declarations and statements emitted by the State and Defense Departments and the US Congress against Venezuela and Bolivia, and even to some extent Ecuador, evidence that the ALBA nations are the ones perceived by Washington as a “constant threat”. To classify a country as “anti-US” is to consider it an enemy of the United States. In this context, it’s obvious that the military agreement with Colombia is a reaction to a region the US now considers full of “enemies”.

COUNTERNARCOTICS OPERATIONS ARE SECONDARY

Per the US Air Force document, “Access to Colombia will further its strategic partnership with the United States. The strong security cooperation relationship also offers an opportunity for conducting full spectrum operations throughout South America to include mitigating the Counternarcotics capability.” This statement clearly evidences that counternarcotics operations are secondary to the real objetives of the military agreement between Colombia and Washington. Again, this clearly contrasts the constant declarations of the Uribe and Obama governments insisting that the main focus of the agreement is to combat drug trafficking and production. The Air Force document emphasizes the necessity to improve “full spectrum” military operations throughout South America – not just in Colombia – in order to combat “constant threats” from “anti-US governments” in the region.

PALANQUERO IS THE BEST OPTION FOR CONTINENTAL MOBILITY

The Air Force document explains that “Palanquero is unquestionably the best site for investing in infrastructure development within Colombia. Its central location is within reach of…operations areas…its isolation maximizes Operational Security (OPSEC) and Force Protection and minimizes the US military profile. The intent is to leverage existing infrastructure to the maximum extent possible, improve the US ability to respond rapidly to crisis, and assure regional access and presence at minimum cost. Palanquero supports the mobility mission by providing access to the entire South American continent with the exception of Cape Horn…”

ESPIONAGE AND WARFARE

The document additionally confirms that the US military presence in Palanquero, Colombia, will improve the capacity of espionage and intelligence operations, and will allow the US armed forces to increase their warfare capabilities in the region. “Development of this CSL wil further the strategic partnership forged between the US and Colombia and is in the interest of both nations…A presence will also increase our capability to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), improve global reach, support logistics requirements, improve partnerships, improve theater security cooperation and expand expeditionary warfare capability.”

The language of war included in this document evidences the true intentions behind the military agreement between Washington and Colombia: they are preparing for war in Latin America. The past few days have been full of conflict and tension between Colombia and Venezuela. Just days ago, the Venezuelan government captured three spies from the Colombian intelligence agency, DAS, and discovered several active destabilization and espionage operations against Cuba, Ecuador and Venezuela. The operations - Fénix, Salomón and Falcón, respectively, were revealed in documents found with the captured DAS agents. Approximately two weeks ago, 10 bodies were found in Táchira, a border zone with Colombia. After completing the relevant investigations, the Venezuelan government discovered that the bodies belonged to Colombian paramilitaries infiltrated inside Venezuelan territory. This dangerous paramilitary infiltration from Colombia forms part of a destabilization plan against Venezuela that seeks to create a paramilitary state inside Venezuelan territory in order to breakdown President Chávez’s government.

The military agreement between Washington and Colombia will only increase regional tensions and violence. The information revealed in the US Air Force document unquestionably evidences that Washington seeks to promote a state of warfare in South America, using Colombia as its launching pad. Before this declaration of war, the peoples of Latin America must stand strong and unified. Latin American integration is the best defense against the Empire’s aggression.


*The US Air Force document was submitted in May 2009 to Congress as part of the 2010 budget justification. It is an official government document and reaffirms the authenticity of the White Book: Global Enroute Strategy of the US Air Mobility Command, which was denounced by President Chávez during the UNASUR meeting in Bariloche, Argentina this past August 28th. I have placed the original document and the non-official translation to Spanish that I did of the relevant parts relating to Palanquero on the web page of the Center to Alert and Defend the People “Centro de Alerta para la Defensa de los pueblos”, a new space we are creating to garantee that strategic information is available to those under constant threat from imperialist aggression.

Unasur y Obama

Unasur insiste en invitar a Obama para que aclare instalación de bases militares en Colombia

Caracas, 09 Nov. ABN. El titular del Consejo de Defensa de la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (Unasur), Javier Ponce, señaló que el organismo debe insistir en una cumbre en la que esté como invitado el presidente de Estados Unidos (EEUU), Barack Obama, para que explique la presencia de su país en siete bases militares instaladas en territorio colombiano.

El también responsable y ministro de Defensa de Ecuador, destacó que 'está pendiente' la propuesta del presidente de Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula, sobre la participación de Obama en una cumbre de la Unasur para abordar el tema de las actividades del Pentágono en el país andino.

'Hay que insistir en eso, debido a que nos preocupa muchísimo el documento de la Fuerza Aérea de EEUU, que considera conveniente el uso de bases colombianas cuando en la región hay narcotráfico, terrorismo y gobiernos anti-estadounidenses', dijo el ministro, según reporte de Telesur.

En este sentido, el texto establece que una vez conformada la Localidad de Cooperación en Seguridad (CSL), EEUU obtiene 'una oportunidad única para las operaciones de espectro completo en una sub-región crítica en nuestro hemisferio, donde la seguridad y estabilidad están bajo amenaza constante por las insurgencias terroristas financiadas con el narcotráfico, los gobiernos antiestadounidenses, la pobreza endémica, y los frecuentes desastres naturales'.

Para Quito esta 'es una afirmación muy grave', y el problema es suficiente motivo 'para una charla con Obama', a quien el pasado mes de agosto Lula planteó invitar a la cumbre de Unasur en Bariloche (sureste de Argentina).

En esa ocasión, el presidente de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, afirmó que la instalación de las bases militares en Colombia es una estrategia global de guerra ideada por EEUU.

Por su parte, el Gobierno boliviano anunció que las bases militares son una intimidación para los países miembros de la Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América (Alba).

'Hay que analizar el tema y la preocupación de Venezuela', indicó Ponce, quien a partir de este martes, iniciará una gira por Argentina y Brasil como presidente del Consejo Suramericano de Defensa.

Esos países son 'claves en el Consejo y voy a discutir con las autoridades respectivas' esta situación, apuntó, a la vez que asomó la posibilidad de una reunión urgente del organismo.

Por su parte, el presidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, ante la posibilidad de que EEUU emprenda acciones de espionaje a países suramericanos, llamó este lunes a una reunión de emergencia del Alba.