Honduras News Stories

November 18, 2009

20,000 Hondurans in the United States Eligible to Vote

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) said nearly 20 thousand Hondurans in the U.S. are eligible to cast their votes for the President of Honduras on November 29th.

These Hondurans may exercise their vote, but only at the presidential level, said Carlos Romero, Director of the TSE. Because of the immigration status of those individuals, they do not qualify to decide on candidates for mayors and deputies of the National Congress.

There are six voting centers in six U.S. cities: Miami, Washington, New Orleans, Houston, New York and Los Angeles. Within those six states, there will be 21 polling stations. "The election boards have been organized and sent the identification documents which are being delivered to the United States," noted Romero.

The National Registry of Persons issued a little over 11 thousand identity cards that were sent to the United States. "During the weekend the identity cards were delivered here in Dallas ... the atmosphere is good, people are wanting to go to vote," said Jorge Rivera of the Honduran Association in Dallas, Texas.

Contrary to what has happened in the past two elections, (in 2001 and 2005) this time Hondurans who have registered may exercise their vote in any of the six United States holding elections in the country. Previously, the vote could be exercised only in the city where one had registered. "The Court ordered an open standard, which allows any Honduran (registered) to vote in any of the six cities," noted Carlos Romero, Election Director of the TSE.

This will be especially beneficial to Hondurans traveling to another city to visit relatives over Thanksgiving weekend, when the voting takes place.

For Juan Alberto Lara, an adviser to the Foreign Ministry and former vice chancellor in the government of Ricardo Maduro (2002-2006), the overseas vote is important because it strengthens the bond between Hondurans and their country. In 2001, the Electoral Tribunal registered 4,000 voters in the United States, and in 2005, only some 990 Hondurans living in the U.S. voted.

This year they expect to exceed the votes of the previous years. Carlos Romero believes that the political crisis that overwhelmed the country since June 28th has motivated the Honduran community in the United States to mark the ballot. Honduras has ten consulates in the United States. They are located in: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Virginia, Washington, San Francisco and is considering opening an office in Boston.

The role of these offices will be to support and promote citizen participation in the election.

November 16, 2009

Honduras Tilapia in High Demand

Honduras has become the largest exporter of tilapia to the United States, and is beginning to have success in other markets. The tilapia fish is becoming a favorite import in Mexico as well. Honduras is the regional leader in the export of fresh tilapia fillets to the USA with a value in 2009 that will surpass $ 60 million.

The cultivation of the tilapia fish, however, does not work very well in Honduras during the months of November through February. From November to February, ambient temperatures tend to drop in Honduras and the rest of Central America, resulting in a reduced metabolic rate in fish, and less reproductive activity. Many commercial producers have no fish to sell during this part of the year.

Happily, new strategies are being developed that will change all of that.

The new strategies and techniques include the use of greenhouses and plastic sheeting to regulate water temperature, and management of mesh bags that allow the artificial incubation of the tilapias eggs and hatchlings. These strategies, among others, make it possible for those in the tilapia business to harvest the tilapia all year.

This economic activity has generated local interest in fish and the consumption thereof. The Tilapia fish is nutritious and is a good source of animal protein with low fat content.

There are currently about 25 commercial farms producing tilapia for local markets in Honduras, and for export to neighboring countries. The Honduran diet is changing, and year after year, Hondurans are consuming more fish.

Surprisingly, tilapia is a fish of African origin that was introduced into Honduras and Central America over 50 years ago. Tilapia is a tropical fish with a strong body and high resistance to pathogens and parasites. It can put up with poor water without suffering much. It breeds on a farm and has broad dietary habits, able to eat a wide variety of foods including kitchen waste and agricultural byproducts.