Paquetazo"(New fiscal measures) taxes for the poor is a direct consequence of the coup

The Shock Doctrine, le laissez-faire barely starting: New fiscal measures/tax reforms for the poor are a consecuence of the coup, the European Union seeks to munipalize Garifuna communities in Honduras

By Gerson de la Rosa

Following the breakdown of constitutional order, the consolidation of the illegitimate government of Robert Michelletti and the alleged departure of the coupsters and U.S. imperialism after the defeat of the mass peaceful resistance, the expulsion of Zelaya of the country and the arrival of Porfirio Lobo to Government are the most important events of the second half of last year. Indeed, a year marked by a deep global economic crisis product of one of the worst crises in the United States after the collapse of the financial and banking system.

The causes of the financial imbalance

Before the coup, political analysts expressed that Honduras would not experience economic growth, what's more, the rate of its exports would look small because its main buyer, ie the United States, would present an economic slowdown. As we can see, the picture is not presented in a favorable light, even when they had the recognition of all the nations of the world, iof nternational loan agencies and social development programs opened in the Zelaya government.

After the expulsion of Zelaya and the formation of illegitimate government, the financial situation of the country, certainly in precarious conditions due to the global economic crisis was aggravated by the non recognition of coup leader authorities by the States, credit institutions and those with political character such as the OAS and the UN ,Rio Summit, CARICOM, PETROCARIBE, likewise, the suspension of credit programs like the Millennium Challenge Account, disbursement of loans from the World Bank, IMF and the breakdown of political and economic relations formed with Venezuela through the Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas ALBA.

The impact of the breakdown and expulsion from Honduras of the above-mentioned bodies, meant that the coup leaders recurred to the international foreign exchange deposits in banks that were part of the economic surplus from previous years.

It is clear that the illegitimate government of Roberto Micheletti squandered state funds. This took place in many ways: the prevailing corruption in the management of state funds, the sameLobo Sosa officials expressed through various media outlets the deep corruption under the management of the illegitimate government, the coup leaders had to collect the painful service.

Moreover, during this period of time, there were substantial economic losses result of political instability reflected in continuous demonstrations, occupation of roads and incessant work stoppages of workers in the National Agrarian Institute and the teaching profession, as well as almost daily curfues and continued mobilization of military troops to ensure the social order fabricated after the coup and in different historical stages and situations that have been characterized by exploitation and social exclusion.

The post-coup scenario

As noted, the new government inherited an unstable government, both politically and economically.Although, over the months, the government of Lobo Sosa has begun to be recognized by the international community, obviously under the weakness of not having direct access to the various credit programs. . However, the above is not enough, the coup plotters caused so much damage that some analysts, of course, economic experts claim that the decline experienced after the rupture of constitutional order has been worse than the losses incurred in the wake of Hurricane Mitch.

Tax reforms

Under the enormous need for funds, the Nationalist government introduced a series of fiscal reforms in the chamber to be approved and implemented starting from its publication in the official gazette.After a long, long day of discussion the new fiscal paquetazo tax was approved.

This measure was taken in the context of a policy of selective prosecution, where gunmen had assassinated political and trade union leaders, including our comrade José Manuel Flores Arguijo. Likewise, the struggle waged by organized peasants in the Unified Peasant Movement of Aguan (MUCA) has determined in some way the implementation of the measures. I say this because the measures were covered with make-up, though they involve a frontal attack on the economy of workers, and some of their conquests, the measures were amended and softened on its original proposal. However, the paquetazo is a measure of the coup to start a recovery of the economy and the bourgeois state, in other words, to shift the costs of the coup to workers and the Honduran people.

Let businessmen pay the crisis

Some months ago, we expressed that the consequences of defeat would be disastrous for the working class and the Honduran people, since the coup would move the loss of their business and government to the impoverished pockets of the workers.

For all these reasons, the Central American Socialist Party (PSOC) calls on the National Resistance Front (FNR), teachers' unions, trade unions and labor unions to initiate wide marches to demand the government not to apply measures introduced in the tax reforms. Businessmen are directly responsible for the political and economic crisis for having initiated the coup, it is they who should pay more taxes.

Similarly, we propose the nationalization of the economy only through state control and workers of the economy will achieve a broad social development. This day of mobilization should be viewed as central point of creating sources of employment, the minimum wage increase and the freezing of all products of basic need.

Source: voselsoberano.com - elquinceavopaso.blogspot.com


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