2019 Honduran protests

2019 Honduran protests
Protests in Honduras
DateApril 10th,12th,26th, 2019 - October 25, 2019
Location
Caused by
  • Healthcare and education reforms
  • Corruption
  • Drug links of the President's brother
Goals
MethodsDemonstrations, riots

The 2019 protests in Honduras corresponded to a series of protests and riots that occurred in April to October. These protests first were against the privatisation of health and education then soon turned into an anti-government revolt that killed dozens of people.[1] Since August, protestors called for the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernández; this as a direct consequence of the trial on drug trafficking charges carried out in the United States against his brother Tony Hernández, arrested in November.[2]

Background

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After the 2017 Honduran general election, widespread protests and dramatic demonstrations erupted nationwide leading to the 2017-2018 Honduran protests and the violence that ensued. 38 protesters were killed and thousands of demonstrators were detained.

Protests

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In the last week of April, Riot police and protesters clashed in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, during demonstrations against education and health reforms. These demonstrations were met with tear gas as protesters threw stones and chanted slogans against the president. Buildings were set on fire.

On May 30–31, healthcare workers and students threatened a nationwide strike and it went ahead, disrupting airline flights and health services from their routes and work. Mass demonstrations and violent protests rocked the capital Tegucigalpa and other cities.[3]

In June–July, the military forces were sent in to detain and quell the mass unrest from going ahead but it made it even worse. Water cannons was deployed on rock-throwing doctors and students in June while working people went on strike in July. At least 5 protesters were killed in clashes with the security forces in June–July.[4]

On August 7, mass demonstrations were held against the government. Tear gas and live bullets was used to disperse protesters while throwing stones and chanting slogans against president Juan Orlando Hernandez.[2]

On Independence Day, anti-government and anti-presidential protests took place throughout the country against president Juan Orlando Hernandez. Brutal violence ignited and turned into rioting.[5]

In October, long-lasting protests and fighting took place in protests. Bullets was fired to disperse protesters on 9 October but they came out on the 10th, chanting songs and cheering on the opposition leader yet police did not intervene. On 21–24 October, a series of riots took place.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Honduras protests: Buildings burn during clashes over reforms". BBC. 30 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Honduras protest turns violent amid anger at president". BBC. 7 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Protests in Honduras over healthcare privatisation fears". Euronews. May 31, 2019.
  4. ^ "Honduras protest crackdown: Five things to know". Al Jazeera. 22 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Honduras protests: Clashes erupt on Independence Day". BBC. 16 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Violent protests seek removal of Honduras president". AP NEWS. 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2021-01-15.