Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03TEGUCIGALPA548
2003-02-27 23:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

HOSTAGE SITUATION IN NAHUATERIQUE POCKET ON BORDER

Tags:  PGOV PBTS PHUM PREL PTER ECON PINR ES HO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000548 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, PM, EB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2013
TAGS: PGOV PBTS PHUM PREL PTER ECON PINR ES HO
SUBJECT: HOSTAGE SITUATION IN NAHUATERIQUE POCKET ON BORDER
WITH EL SALVADOR ENDS PEACEFULLY

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Roger D. Pierce for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000548

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, PM, EB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2013
TAGS: PGOV PBTS PHUM PREL PTER ECON PINR ES HO
SUBJECT: HOSTAGE SITUATION IN NAHUATERIQUE POCKET ON BORDER
WITH EL SALVADOR ENDS PEACEFULLY

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Roger D. Pierce for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (U) SUMMARY: On February 25 at around 10:00am a Honduran
patrol comprised of seven police and four military personnel
was surrounded by approximately 400 compesinos in the
Nahuaterique pocket on the border with El Salvador. The
incident occurred after the patrol had confiscated a number
of chainsaws that were being used for illegal logging
activities. After a 27 hour standoff, and intervention by
both Government of Honduras (GOH) and Government of El
Salvador (GOES) officials, the incident ended without
violence. END SUMMARY


2. (U) According to information provided by the Honduran
Ministry of Public Security, the Honduran Armed Forces, and
press accounts on February 25 at around 10:00am a Honduran
patrol comprised of seven police and four military personnel
was surrounded by approximately 400 people near the town of
Paso Mono, inside the Nahuaterique pocket on the border with
El Salvador. Local residents also reportedly destroyed a
small wooden bridge (the only land route from Honduras)
thereby preventing the patrol from leaving without entering
El Salvador. While the patrol was unable to withdraw, GOH
personnel maintained control of their weapons and after a
tense beginning were treated well by the local population.


3. (SBU) The incident apparently occurred after the patrol
had confiscated three chainsaws which were being used for
illegal logging activities. On February 18, a similar patrol
had confiscated illegal logging equipment, which resulted in
a minor scuffle with local residents. The community, made up
largely of Salvadoran citizens who remained on the Honduran
side of the border after the 1992 International Court of
Justice ruling, has reportedly traditionally made its
livelihood from logging activities. Recent efforts to
enforce Honduran law in the area have meet with considerable
opposition due to the fact that other means of income are
very limited.


4. (C) The informal leader of the community, Santos Tulio
Hernandez, is reportedly a former member of the Ejercito
Revolutionario Popular, one of the strongest elements of the
FMLN that operated in the Perquin-Torola area. Many of the
residents in the surrounding area were also apparently
guerrilla sympathizers in the 1980's. After preventing the
patrol from leaving, Hernandez demanded discussions with both
GOH and GOES officials concerning the community's grievances.



5. (SBU) On February 26, a GOH/GOES bilateral commission met
in the town of Zancudo, Honduras to address the villagers
demands and secure the release of the 11 patrol members.
Taking part in the discussions were Honduran Police
Commissioner Coralia Rivera, local military commanders, and
representatives from both the GOH and GOES foreign
ministries. Sources report that officials involved in the
mediation effort were able to secure the release of the
patrol around noon after promising to address the community's
needs.


6. (SBU) Many of the residents of Nahuaterique, although now
officially living in Honduras, remain citizens of El Salvador
and continue to hold strong cultural and family ties to El
Salvador. Most local transportation is provided by El
Salvador, villagers do most of their shopping in El Salvador,
and El Salvador continues to be a large market for Honduran
lumber.


7. (C) COMMENT: This incident highlights the need for
demarcation of the border between the two countries.
Honduras can be expected to use this incident to push for
quicker action in this area. Honduran authorities are also
likely to attempt to assert greater control of the area
through a larger official presence. The GOH will find it
difficult, however, to enforce anti-logging in this poor
region where Honduran law has not been regularly enforced.

Palmer