AP: Gunmen Attack Bus in Honduras; 23 dead

AP ^ | Dec. 23, 2004

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[FITZ]

I don't think anybody in Honduras will listen to what these lunatics have to say now.

But the drug cartels had tremendous power over these governments ---- which is why they've become so large and international --- the mordida makes a lot possible for the criminal gangs. Just like Colombia and Mexico --- the drug kingpins are tolerated quite well because they're rich men.

[TankerKC]

I was stationeed at the US base near Comayagua for a year. We never went anywhere off post alone. Those that tempted fate (and broke the rules) ended up poorer and beaten.

[dog breath]

Certainly money can corrupt any political system. Money is also the power to change things. I have heard from several people over the years, how in their neighborhood the local crime boss or gang leader was respected because he took care of people in his community. I understand that Mendoza built schools, gave to charities and many people protected him. This act just seems so pointless and stupid, I still can't see where anybody would protect these guys. There is perhaps some motive here that I do not understand, so I will have to read up on Honduran politics.

[dog breath]

I went and read some more about the attack and the government has already arrested one member of a gang called the Marla Salvatrucha. The Marla Salvatrucha is a street gang modeled on Los Angeles style street gangs. The group claiming responsibility in the note, the Cinchonero Liberation Party, has been defunct since the 1980s. The current President of Honduras Ricardo Maduro has a no tolerance policy toward crime. He lost a young son to kidnappers and is serious as a undertaker about it. The comments from ordinary Hondurans showed disgust and outrage at the attack. This was a attack by stupid punks who have no influence with the government and little public support. This did nothing but strengthen the chances that the anti crime candidate Lobos will succeed Maduro in next years election. Apparently the drug cartels and gangs can't buy these guys and are trying to intimidate and kill them. Also I was thinking of Pablo Escobar, the Columbian, not Mendoza when I talked about one of these gangsters buying local public support. Sorry to babble on, but stories of senseless violence like this disturb me.