Ask your Senators and Representatives to call on the State Department to stop opposing key reforms in Honduras

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Ask your Senators and Representatives to call on the State Department to stop opposing reforms in Honduras

On October 25, 2022, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Laura Dogu gave a speech attacking key economic policies of the Honduran government that aim to reform some of the most corrupt and destructive plundering of the country institutionalized during the post-coup era.

Ambassador Dogu’s comments come on the heels of a letter by U.S. Senators Cardin (D-MD) and Hagerty (R-TN) in support of Honduras' widely opposed model cities following an unanimously vote in the Honduran Congress to repeal them.

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Ask your Senators and Representatives to call on the State Department to stop opposing reforms in Honduras

House of Representatives

Subject: Concern about U.S. Ambassador's Criticism of Honduran Government

Message:

I am writing to express my concern about the recent U.S. attempts to oppose key economic reforms by the democratically-elected Honduran government. These reforms address some of the most detrimental and controversial economic policies imposed the regimes following the 2009 coup d'etat. It is very upsetting that the U.S. is intervening in Honduras' internal policies, particularly those that have been approved by Honduras' National Congress and President, who was elected in a landslide on a reform agenda. On October 25, 2022, the U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, Laura Dogu, made a speech that took aim at other key reforms of the Castro Administration. This includes criticisim of Honduras' energy sector reforms which have sought to re-negotiate the inflated prices at which Honduras purchases energy. This reform is key to addressing the corruption of the post-coup era. The Ambassador also criticized the repeal of the post-coup hourly employment law, which is opposed by unions and workers rights organizations for enabling a class of workers without many of the rights guaranteed by Honduras' Labor Code. Additionally, Senators Cardin and Hagerty recently sent a letter to the Secretary of State in support of Honduras' controversial charter cities legislation, which was repealed unanimously this year by Honduras' Congress. Titled "Economic Development and Employment Zones" (ZEDES), these area are not subject to many of Honduras' laws, but instead establish their own legal and taxation systems. They are widely opposed in Honduras and repealing them was a key campaign promise of Honduran President Castro. Furthermore, the Castro administration has offered to incorporate the companies in ZEDES into Honduras' other special economic zones. It is extremely disconcerting that Senators Cardin and Hagerty propose enhancing the Hickenlooper Amendment in this context. The Biden Administration has it a stated goal to address the root causes of migration from Central America, including Honduras. These recent statements do the opposite. The economic policies of the post-coup era are what caused massive waves of migration from Honduras. I urge you to contact the State Department to urge them to stop propping up the destructive policies of the post-coup era and instead respect the self-determination of the Honduran people as their elected government enacts the basic reforms it was elected to carry out. Thank you,

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U.S. Senators

Subject: Urge the State Department to stop opposing key reforms in Honduras

Message:

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Senators who authored letter supporting ZEDES

Subject: Stop supporting ZEDES in Honduras

Message:

I was very upset to see your recent letter in support of Honduras' "Economic Development and Employment Zones" (ZEDEs).

A key tenet of U.S. foreign policy must be respect for the self-determination and sovereignty of other countries. In this case, Honduras' democratically-elected National Congress -- which includes parties from across the political spectrum -- unanimously voted to repeal the controversial legislation creating ZEDEs. Furthermore, repealing ZEDEs was a campaign promise of Honduran President Xiomara Castro, who was elected in a landslide victory.

Furthermore, the Castro administration has offered to incorporate the companies in ZEDEs into Honduras' other special economic zones, such as free trade zones. This would enable U.S. companies currently in ZEDEs to continue doing business in Honduras.

I urge you to respect the democratic government of Honduras and stop supporting ZEDEs.

Thank you,

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