Controversy Surrounding the Fourth Box Reaches Breaking Point

Controversy over the introduction of the ‘cuarta urna’ or fourth box has reached a fevered pitch across Honduras as the date of the national referendum approaches. The fourth box referendum is non-binding and will ask Hondurans whether they want to vote on constitutional change.

While it is not entirely clear what this constitutional change might entail, oppositionists argue that the President wants to alter the constitution in order to remain in power beyond the single term currently permitted. Campaign groups have stepped up their level of operations, with protests organised in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, attracting increasing numbers of people.

On June 10, a rally organised by the Alliance for Peace and Democracy in Honduras, as well as ex-military reserves from the Armed Forces, took place outside the District Attorney’s Office in the capital. The majority of protesters were well-educated, upper-middle class citizens, wearing white ‘Democracy’ t-shirts, holding up signs that read ‘Defend our constitution.’ One of the protesters, Lidia Rodriguez, said that the introduction of the fourth box was illegal. “It would affect everyone negatively, and we’re supporting this protest because Mel is going to take all the power, just as Chavez has done in Venezuela.” She felt that the protest would be successful.

Other protesters agreed with Lidia. Vera Azize also felt that other world leaders, not only Chavez but also Cuba’s Raul Castro and Bolivia’s Evo Morales, had influenced President Zelaya. She stated that the protest was an attempt to educate ordinary Hondurans who have not been sufficiently informed to make a decision concerning the fourth box. Others in the crowd felt complete animosity against the ‘cuarta urna,’ such as Cristy, Yolary and Gladys (no last names were given). They proclaimed ‘We don’t want to be like Cuba!’ Cristy elaborated that she didn´t consider herself “the type of person who usually resorts to demonstrating, but this was different.”

Others such as Miguel Hernandez felt opposition to the fourth box for different reasons. He explained that this fourth box was “unconstitutional because it wasn’t written in the law.” He felt that this fourth box would lead to a continuation of the current government, something that was against the democratic ideals favoured by the Honduran people.

While the general feeling in the protest was of hostility towards the fourth box, not everyone felt the same. One person, who didn’t wish to be named, said that while he didn’t like the idea of the fourth box, he disagreed with the majority of the protesters in their sentiment that the idea of the fourth box itself was illegal. He said it would only be an illegal act by the government if the population voted no to the fourth box and the government enforced it anyway. Only this would lead to an illegal constitution, he argued.

An additional protest was held outside the National Congress on June 19. This time, more than five hundred people attended, with police barricades set up along one side of the building.

The rally took place under the cover of the building, where speakers from different organisations took centre stage and spoke out against the introduction of the fourth box.

Unlike previous protests which had been attended via word of mouth, Daisy, Sagrario and Ingrid heard about the protest from the television advertisements by the campaign group Alliance for Peace and Democracy in Honduras.

When asked what would happen if the fourth box went ahead, they claimed that ‘it would lead to disaster for Honduras.’ They argued that the current government was acting illegally and against the best interests of Honduras because the constitution does not need reforming.

Protesters from diverse groups, such as the Armed Forces, GenerationXChange the Alliance for Peace and Democracy in Honduras, gathered around a central stage, holding banners and placards. Addressing the audience, Maria Teresa Alvarez from the Alliance for Peace and Democracy in Honduras, stressed continuously that the people ‘want a free Honduras.’

Other speakers continued to echo this sentiment throughout the protest and claimed that the people wanted a country where “our taxes go towards our schools and hospitals instead of dirty government actions.”

Ms. Alvarez, one of the organizers of these protesters, spoke to HTW about the protests. She said that today was an important day because the Supreme Court had determined the fourth box as being illegal, which gave their protests legitimacy. She referred to Article 60 in the current Honduran Constitution, which clearly states that all Hondurans are equal under the law and that there are no privileged classes to be had.

“The President has to do what the constitution says. Going against this is illegal and he needs to understand that. Failing to do so could lead to him being thrown in jail,” she argued. When asked what would happen if the fourth box was successful, she claimed that it would not happen because the military has to defend the constitution, as well as the election because they have to and will, follow the law. Alvarez explained that while Honduras was a relatively peaceful country that didn’t have a history of violence that Guatemala or Nicaragua did, the military would nevertheless have to step in.

Alvarez remarked on how well the campaign groups were working together. She said, “These group are here to stay, to show the people we’re able to work together to maintain democracy.” She insisted that the campaign groups were demonstrating in peace. Other groups had also formed across the country and were working together on campaigning against this fourth box. She mentioned that several businesses were also supportive of their actions but declined to name names.

“The President wants to create divisions between the rich and the poor and is insisting on stripping away the rights of everyone.”

On June 22, the Honduran Congress ruled that a referendum could not be held 180 days before or after a General Election, effectively outlawing the vote scheduled to take place on June 28. Despite this, the President has appeared determined to go ahead with the referendum.

As promised by campaign groups, the protests continued. On June 24, another march was organised in front of the OEA (American States Organisation). Here protesters asked the OEA not to support the government’s referendum. The Organization of American States had planned to send three election observers to oversee the voting on the fourth box referendum. However, the Honduran Congress voted unanimously to ask that they don’t send observers because the referendum was deemed illegal and Congress didn’t wish to give the vote international legitimacy.

One of the protesters, Lorenza Duron, argued that the OEA was “trying to support an illegal pretension sponsored by the government in violation of the constitution. The government wants to change it because the current constitution limits the governmental power and also enforces checks and balances, something that is necessary in a democracy.”

However, protesters were also quick to defend the role of the OEA, stating that they understand that this organisation came in good faith and supported its economic role fully. They declared they came to protest peacefully and that their demands were for Honduras to remain a peaceful democracy.

Public outcry over the fourth box has escalated in recent days, with the announcement that General Romeo Vasquez, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, had been dismissed by the President following his refusal to provide logistical support for a referendum deemed by Congress to be unlawful. The heads of the army, navy and air force later resigned in support of Vasquez. Defense Minister Eduardo Orellana has also resigned.

Congress has ordered that General Vasquez be reinstated.

In a show of support for President Zelaya and his referendum, another rally was held outside the Presidential House on June 25. Supporters of the fourth box rallied together and distributed leaflets.

The President continues to have strong support among trade union leaders and the poor, but his decision to go ahead with Sunday’s referendum has prompted fears that he seeks to tear up the Honduran Constitution completely, and even establish a Cuban-style socialist dictatorship.

One of the protesters, Eric Castro, reasoned that the problem with Honduras was that it needed greater political stability in order for its poverty problems to be tackled and that the president would be able to continue helping the poor if he was able to stay in power longer. He maintained that a change of leadership every four years, and the subsequent change in policy, means that nothing is ever achieved. It is better, he argues, that Zelaya remains in power, at least for the time being.

The afternoon of June 25, the President led thousands of his supporters to Toncontin international airport where they forcibly seized the referendum ballots that Congress had ordered be destroyed.

In an extended speech on the evening of June 25, President Zelaya declared that he would not abide by this decision. “We will not obey the Supreme Court,” he said. “The court offers justice for the rich, the powerful and the bankers, but only causes problems for democracy.”

On the morning of June 26, the President hit back at his critics, calling the Congressional President, Roberto Micheletti, “a pathetic, second-class congressman.” The comment followed Congressional plans to assess the state of Zelaya’s mental health. Such an assessment could see the President declared unfit to rule.

Zelaya´s handling of the recent difficulties has reportedly drawn applause from former Cuban President Fidel Castro, and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

As the date of the referendum edges closer, the public has become nervous, with shops shutting and the public urged to stay away from demonstrations.

That warning did not stop thousands of people from gathering in Tegucigalpa’s Central Park on the morning of June 26 to demonstrate against the fourth box. An unprecedented number of people from all walks of life marched from Central Park to the National Congress and made their way towards the Soldier Park. As they marched, various people sang ‘sacaremos ese buay de labarranca’ and shouted for the ‘town to unite’ while others chanted ‘get out, Mel!’

Bystanders gave mixed responses about the fourth box. Nixon Sanchez, a taxi driver said that he was unable to work because of the protest and that regardless of the success of the fourth box he wouldn’t gain anything. Vanessa, a general goods store owner said that she supported the fourth box because she approves of what President Zelaya has done in the last three years. She hoped that “he would be able to change the state of the country.”

It remains to be seen whether, and how, this controversy will end.