MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil inching closer to accept the Honduran administration of president Lobo

Honduras president Lobo is short of friends but things seem to be changing

Brazil that is still holding back on its recognition of Honduras president Porfirio Lobo government is inching closer and said it would be “important” for the Central American country to return to the Organization of American States, OAS, once reconciliation measures become effective, according to a spokesperson from the Planalto Palace.

“President Lula da Silva does not want the ruptured dialogue relation with the Honduran government to continue. But it remains concerned about the question of the institutional breakdown (when President Manuel Zelaya was ousted last June) and considers important the return of Honduras to the OAS”, said Marcelo Baumbach.

He added that internal measures are needed such as the “creation of a truth commission, and it would also be constructive to have former president Zelaya return to the country, thus ensuring a national reconciliation”.

The new stance marks a significant Brazilian moderation on the Honduras situation since Brasilia was one of the most energetic in condemning the coup that ousted constitutional president Zelaya from office 28 June 2009

Honduras was temporarily suspended from OAS following the dismissal of Zelaya, and the government of President Lobo, winner of the elections at the end of last year is still struggling to obtain full recognition from the region.

The Honduran crisis divided the region between those countries demanding the reinstatement of Zelaya and those willing to accept the election results, as anticipated in the Honduras electoral calendar, even when they were held under the rule of a de facto regime.

Washington together with Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica has led the second position seeking a quick normalization of Honduras.