tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929513019181240765.post4471262115361478179..comments2023-11-02T09:33:21.983-04:00Comments on Central American Politics: Colom's Not Invited to the PartyMike Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819823480024681083noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929513019181240765.post-60167195152678267292011-02-14T13:24:40.770-05:002011-02-14T13:24:40.770-05:00Rebecca - I just saw someone on a listserve who is...Rebecca - I just saw someone on a listserve who is closely following the Guatemalan request for TPS say that they expect some sort of announcement relatively soon. I don't have more than that and don't have any sense of which way the decision is going to go. Given the long delay, I am hopeful but not opportunistic.Mike Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03819823480024681083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929513019181240765.post-32603313317572117382011-02-14T13:22:38.605-05:002011-02-14T13:22:38.605-05:00Oscar - Good questions. I'd like to first see ...Oscar - Good questions. I'd like to first see two things happen before the president of the US meets with the post-coup government in Honduras. First, the Lobo government needs take steps to investigate and prosecute those who committed human rights violations following the coup. Second, there has to be some steps towards reconiliation between "government" and "anti-government" forces. Until then, the Honduran government gets to meet other US officials, just not the president.<br /><br />With regards to Nicaragua, given what the US "knows" about Ortega, there's no way that he should meet with him. According to our embassy, he and his supporters helped to rigged the last election, are on the take of drug cartels, and blackmailing well-known citizens, and has used extraconstitutional means to ensure that he can run for his seventh consecutive presidential election. Again, the US government should engage Ortega and cooperate on trade, security, migration, etc. It's just not in the US' best interest to have our president meet with the presidents of these two countries at this time.Mike Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03819823480024681083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929513019181240765.post-60052347582999779602011-02-13T19:30:35.319-05:002011-02-13T19:30:35.319-05:00Why do you say "supposedly we might hear some...Why do you say "supposedly we might hear something soon" about the request from Guatemala for TPS? I've been searching online nearly every day since July 2010 and I don't think there has ever been a statement about it from the white house, homeland security or the state department (other than Ambassador McFarland's foolish phrasing about a quick decision shortly after the disasters). <br /><br />Thank you for writing about it!hellorebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00270111010372804286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929513019181240765.post-88921632592741761102011-02-13T13:59:46.791-05:002011-02-13T13:59:46.791-05:00What a curious phrase -- you don't think it wo...What a curious phrase -- you don't think it would be in anyone's interest to invite Lobo and Ortega? Aren't diplomatic occasions supposed to be opportunities for independent states to improve relations? I would think it would be in everyone's interest that relations be improved with the state of Nicaragua, the state of Guatemala. Honduras? Maybe. But the US position is that Lobo is the legitimate representative of the state. It has been traditional for US bigwigs, especially presidents, to meet with all Central American presidents when they are in the region.Oscarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16316320175073629914noreply@blogger.com