I lived in Honduras from 2009, roughly one month after the military coup, up until 2011. I have returned frequently since then. I'm very familiar with what's been happening with the teachers' strike and some of these issues. I've noticed in the time that I've spent there the increasing level of insecurity in the country.
What is optimistic about the country for me and something which, if Canada is really concerned about human rights in Honduras, we need to really support is the social movement that is demanding some sort of change, a transformative change of the country. Actually, one of the root causes of the coup was that they wanted to reform the constitution, so that they had more of a voice in what was occurring in the political and economic decisions of the country. That hasn't happened and the people that are in congress and the individuals that carried out the coup don't want that at all.
For me, what's optimistic is the social movement, the human rights groups, and the grassroots groups that are pushing for this change to rewrite the constitution. That's optimistic for me.
They have a significant chance in doing well in the next elections, but with the deterioration of the human rights situation and the high levels of fear and insecurity in the country, it's unclear what will happen. I'm optimistic that they have a lot of broad popular support.