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Can Movements in Guatemala and Honduras Usher in Change?
Can Movements in Guatemala and Honduras Usher in Change?
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Can-Movements-in-Guatemala-and-Honduras-Usher-in-Change-20150822-0011.html If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
25 August 2015 - 10:25 AM
Analysis
Can Movements in Guatemala and Honduras Usher in Change?
Tens of thousands of Guatemalans and Hondurans have taken to the streets in recent months to protest government corruption and multimillion dollar embezzlement of public funds, calling for an end to impunity and resignation of presidents who’ve seen what remained of their credibility dealt a heavy blow by massive scandals.
But while some have hailed the moment of popular discontent as a “Central American spring,” others remain cautious about overestimating the potential of broad and politically sporadic movements to achieve any lasting structural change.
In both countries, the constitution of the new popular movements has been novel. In a show of social mobilization not seen since the 1940-50s “democratic spring” in Guatemala and the 2009 post-coup national resistance movement in Honduras, middle class and urban outrage has brought new forces to the streets.
Guatemala: “They robbed us of everything, including our silence”
While many Guatemalans have long suffered the effects of economic inequality and lack of resources, waves of corruption scandals in various public institutions that began to surface in April have mobilized people across demographic and class lines with initial outrage giving way to broader demands.
...
But Guatemalans continued to take to the streets, taking up the cheer “this has only begun” alongside placards bearing slogans like “no more corruption” and “resign now”. Independent investigations led by the U.N.’s anti-impunity body CICIG are still uncovering the details and extent of the corruption, believed to directly implicate Perez Molina as its mastermind.
...
As Bridget Brehen of the Guatemala solidarity organization NISGUA told teleSUR, the major involvement of the urban middle class is a notable turn in the historic organization of Guatemalan social movements. “Struggles for justice for crimes of the past and to defend lands and territories against resource extraction have been a strong current of resistance in Guatemala and led by primarily by directly impacted Indigenous and rural communities and leaders,” Brehen explained. “The CICIG-led investigations unearthed a level of corruption in public institutions that had not previously been known and that impacted large swathes of urban-based Guatemalans.”
...
But despite the energy and urban involvement, the struggle to achieve the revolutionary potential of such widespread outrage is a major challenge in the face of a political stronghold unlikely to cede power easily. In Guatemala, this is the new age of a decades-old power struggle that has seen progressive and revolutionary alternatives crushed by repressive and U.S-backed military governments.
...
Honduras: Corruption and impunity in post-coup politics
MUCH MORE AT LINK
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Can-Movements-in-Guatemala-and-Honduras-Usher-in-Change-20150822-0011.html If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Can-Movements-in-Guatemala-and-Honduras-Usher-in-Change-20150822-0011.html If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
25 August 2015 - 10:25 AM
Analysis
Can Movements in Guatemala and Honduras Usher in Change?
Tens of thousands of Guatemalans and Hondurans have taken to the streets in recent months to protest government corruption and multimillion dollar embezzlement of public funds, calling for an end to impunity and resignation of presidents who’ve seen what remained of their credibility dealt a heavy blow by massive scandals.
But while some have hailed the moment of popular discontent as a “Central American spring,” others remain cautious about overestimating the potential of broad and politically sporadic movements to achieve any lasting structural change.
In both countries, the constitution of the new popular movements has been novel. In a show of social mobilization not seen since the 1940-50s “democratic spring” in Guatemala and the 2009 post-coup national resistance movement in Honduras, middle class and urban outrage has brought new forces to the streets.
Guatemala: “They robbed us of everything, including our silence”
While many Guatemalans have long suffered the effects of economic inequality and lack of resources, waves of corruption scandals in various public institutions that began to surface in April have mobilized people across demographic and class lines with initial outrage giving way to broader demands.
...
But Guatemalans continued to take to the streets, taking up the cheer “this has only begun” alongside placards bearing slogans like “no more corruption” and “resign now”. Independent investigations led by the U.N.’s anti-impunity body CICIG are still uncovering the details and extent of the corruption, believed to directly implicate Perez Molina as its mastermind.
...
As Bridget Brehen of the Guatemala solidarity organization NISGUA told teleSUR, the major involvement of the urban middle class is a notable turn in the historic organization of Guatemalan social movements. “Struggles for justice for crimes of the past and to defend lands and territories against resource extraction have been a strong current of resistance in Guatemala and led by primarily by directly impacted Indigenous and rural communities and leaders,” Brehen explained. “The CICIG-led investigations unearthed a level of corruption in public institutions that had not previously been known and that impacted large swathes of urban-based Guatemalans.”
...
But despite the energy and urban involvement, the struggle to achieve the revolutionary potential of such widespread outrage is a major challenge in the face of a political stronghold unlikely to cede power easily. In Guatemala, this is the new age of a decades-old power struggle that has seen progressive and revolutionary alternatives crushed by repressive and U.S-backed military governments.
...
Honduras: Corruption and impunity in post-coup politics
MUCH MORE AT LINK
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Can-Movements-in-Guatemala-and-Honduras-Usher-in-Change-20150822-0011.html If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
In Spanish
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
From the article:
“Struggles for justice for crimes of the past and to defend lands and territories against resource extraction have been a strong current of resistance in Guatemala and led by primarily by directly impacted Indigenous and rural communities and leaders,” Brehen explained. “The CICIG-led investigations unearthed a level of corruption in public institutions that had not previously been known and that impacted large swathes of urban-based Guatemalans.”“The central [question] is what forces will resolve this moment,” said Moran. “The traditional oligarchy aligned with the gringos, the emerging power alliance with organized crime, or the people and their organizations that seek refoundation and revolutionary change.”
Also, we note, more speaking with "forked tongue" regarding the US State Department position on this new unrest, as seen against actual history itself!
The article is thought provoking, what we really need to read.
[center]
From the article, a demonstration in Honduras, after all the violence
heaped upon the people since the US-supported coup in 2009. They
haven't given up. "They fear us because we are not afraid." [/center]
Thank you, Catherina.
