TEACHERS' PROTEST FAILS TO SHUT DOWN HONDURAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 001439

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR WHA/CEN, DS/OP/WHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2014
TAGS: PGOV ASEC ELAB PHUM SOCI PREL HO
SUBJECT: TEACHERS' PROTEST FAILS TO SHUT DOWN HONDURAN
CAPITOL AS TENSIONS RUN HIGH

REF: TEGUCIGALPA 1434

Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Palmieri;
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) SUMMARY: On June 24, approximately 5,000 striking
Honduran teachers temporarily blocked the four main arteries
connecting Tegucigalpa with the rest of the country, bringing
traffic to a standstill and disrupting commerce. Teachers
also blocked traffic in other parts of the country, primarily
near San Pedro Sula. The teachers' strike is entering its
fourth week and tensions are running high. Honduran police
and military units, deployed to all four locations, moved
against one group of protesters blocking the southern
entrance to the city, launching tear gas to disperse the
protesters. Police opened all entrances to the city by
mid-day. This action marked the first time the Government of
Honduras (GOH) has moved forcefully against protesting
teachers blocking highways during the month-long work
stoppage. Preliminary reports indicate there were no
injuries. End Summary.


2. (U) On June 24, approximately 5,000 striking Honduran
teachers blocked the four main arteries connecting
Tegucigalpa with the rest of the country, temporarily
bringing traffic to a standstill and disrupting commerce.
Teachers were also blocking traffic in other parts of the
country, including highways connecting Puerto Cortez and La
Lima to San Pedro Sula. POLOFFs visited all four locations
in Tegucigalpa to meet with protesters and local
police/military units. While three of the four
demonstrations we witnessed were peaceful, POLOFF was present
when police decided to launch tear gas against protesting
teachers to open the southern route out of Tegucigalpa.
Chaos ensued as protesters fled the scene. Police then
opened the road. POLOFF did not witness any violent
confrontations between protesters and police/military units
and preliminary reports indicate that no injuries occurred.
Protest leaders, in communication via cell phone, apparently
decided to disband the group blocking the Tegicigalpa-San
Pedro highway after learning of police action against their
colleagues in the south. The other two groups, (which were
also the largest) marched toward the center of the city with
the intention of converging on the Casa Presidencial. Police
condoned off access to the Casa Presidencial as of 1600.
Post understands the teachers will seek to protest tomorrow
at the Casa Presidencial during a meeting between union
leaders and the GOH, when President Maduro apparently will
make another offer to resolve the wage dispute.


3. (U) The teachers' strike, now entering its fourth week,
has the GOH concerned (reftel). The teachers' unions have
alienated much of Honduran society and little sympathy exists
among the populace in support of their demands which are
deemed excessive. Although it appears they do not enjoy much
popular support, they remain a powerful special interest
group. Other groups, primarily doctors/nurses, are following
the GOH's response to their demands closely. They could also
call a general strike if they perceive the teachers were able
to coerce the GOH into meeting their terms.


4. (C) The GOH also remains nervous about the March for Life
(Marcha por la Vida) that commenced June 24 (reftel). The
March's organizer, Father Andres Tamayo, a Salvadoran
Catholic priest who resides in Olancho and heads the Olancho
Environmentalist Movement (MAO),estimates that eventually,
ten thousand people will participate in the march. The march
was organized to draw attention to the GOH's inability to
protect Honduras' environment; however, there are indications
that participants may also demand President Ricardo Maduro's
resignation. As it did on June 24 with the teachers, it
appears the GOH may take a more aggressive approach toward
further disturbances in Tegucigalpa.


5. (C) Comment: While disruptive, the Embassy believes these
protests will not destabilize the government. However, if
these movements are able to coalesce, and draw from the
overall general discontent with Maduro's administration, the
political situation could begin to worsen for the GOH. End
Comment.
Palmer