Juan Orlando Hernández
Encyclopedia
Juan Orlando Hernández is the current President of the National Congress
of Honduras
and a member of the National Party of Honduras
. Although his popularity is not as that of other party leaders, he managed to rise to power in the middle of a political crisis after Manuel Zelaya´s cue, taking control of the honduran congress by making a series of agreements and compromises with other political leaders including actual president Porfirio Lobo, former president Carlos Flores (Liberal) and Manuel Zelaya (Communist). He has represented Lempira Department since 1994 He took office on January 25, 2010.
Unpopular
Honduras democracy was hurt after the 2009 incidents, Zelaya was brought down from power by Roberto Micheletti (Far right)and a new election granted the National Party of Honduras the presidential office, most of the cities townhalls and control of the congress. Lobo Sosa, a popular right wing conservative, was elected president in the middle of a rampage of violence and division. As part of a political maneuver he chose Juan Orlando Hernandez, a known socialist, -who has sometimes been said to be a communist infiltrated in the conservative party- to take office as the Honduran Congress president. Hernandez, who did not figure as one of the most voted congressmen, was appointed Congress chairman in an effort by president Lobo to negotiate with communists, socialists and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. Hernandez served as one of president Lobo´s closest friends in the past, having participation in several businesses and decisions regarding the National Party. Lobo who had lost the past election chose Hernandez not for his popularity but for the confidence he has on him.
Hernandez suffers the criticism of both Nationalists and Liberals -Honduras two main political forces- due to a peculiar political stance against free enterprise and unpopular tax increases on the poorest sectors of the country. Hernandez stance relies on a chaotic way of government in order to maintain control of power in the midst of a democratic downfall.
Those who have opposed Hernandez´decisions have suffered persecution, destitution and have been accused of treason against the government.
Several Nationalist leaders have criticized Hernandez´ties with known communist leaders in the country, negotiations with controversial personalities such as Venezuela´s Hugo Chavez and Hernandez´personality, sometimes said to be of bad temper, machiavellian, gangster-like, and presumptuous.
Humanist Christianity
Th National Party, a strong moderate right-wing institution, suffered a major change during the past election. Lobo Sosa took the party to a new ideology: Humanist Christianity. This new ideology was an attempt to make his far-right profile more digestible for liberals and independents. Juan Orlando Hernandez was appointed to generate this ideology and came through with a leftist set of changes causing his opponents to tingle. However, Lobo Sosa asked for patience, getting his party´s support and turning victor in the general election.
The new ideology, however, would rapidly loose trust. Christian leaders from the protestant and catholic sectors were not happy with the involvement of religious propaganda in politics, while Human Rights national and international organisms would contradict the humanist part of Hernandez´government slogan after a series of human right abuse rumors.
Other Nationalist leaders have gone back to the old ideology "Social Justice with Liberty and Democracy" criticizing Hernandez and his attempt to become president using congress as leverage. Many accusations regarding Hernandez sources for propaganda have arose, including drug money, state money and the use of government institutions to bring his profile up.
Presidential Aspirations
Hernandez has made his intentions clear, he wants to become president. This has brought many critics to maintain a sharp eye on all of his moves. Hernandez has Lobo´s support however, and stands with real chances to become president.
Nepotism
A heavily criticized aspect of Hernandez´s government has been the hiring of large part of his family in several government institutions. Harsh criticisms have arose after a local newspaper pointed out irrefutable evidence that at least 28 of Hernandez´ family members are employed in the government. Hernandez has maintained silence and has not commented on this issue.
National Congress of Honduras
The National Congress is the legislative branch of the government of Honduras.The Honduran Congress is a unicameral legislature. The current President of the National Congress of Honduras is Juan Orlando Hernández. Its members are 128 deputies, who are elected on a proportional representation...
of Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and a member of the National Party of Honduras
National Party of Honduras
The National Party is a centre-right conservative political party in Honduras and the main right-wing political party in the country. Founded in 1902 the PNH is identified with the color blue as its rival the Liberal Party of Honduras , is red. All the democratic elections in Honduras have been...
. Although his popularity is not as that of other party leaders, he managed to rise to power in the middle of a political crisis after Manuel Zelaya´s cue, taking control of the honduran congress by making a series of agreements and compromises with other political leaders including actual president Porfirio Lobo, former president Carlos Flores (Liberal) and Manuel Zelaya (Communist). He has represented Lempira Department since 1994 He took office on January 25, 2010.
Unpopular
Honduras democracy was hurt after the 2009 incidents, Zelaya was brought down from power by Roberto Micheletti (Far right)and a new election granted the National Party of Honduras the presidential office, most of the cities townhalls and control of the congress. Lobo Sosa, a popular right wing conservative, was elected president in the middle of a rampage of violence and division. As part of a political maneuver he chose Juan Orlando Hernandez, a known socialist, -who has sometimes been said to be a communist infiltrated in the conservative party- to take office as the Honduran Congress president. Hernandez, who did not figure as one of the most voted congressmen, was appointed Congress chairman in an effort by president Lobo to negotiate with communists, socialists and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. Hernandez served as one of president Lobo´s closest friends in the past, having participation in several businesses and decisions regarding the National Party. Lobo who had lost the past election chose Hernandez not for his popularity but for the confidence he has on him.
Hernandez suffers the criticism of both Nationalists and Liberals -Honduras two main political forces- due to a peculiar political stance against free enterprise and unpopular tax increases on the poorest sectors of the country. Hernandez stance relies on a chaotic way of government in order to maintain control of power in the midst of a democratic downfall.
Those who have opposed Hernandez´decisions have suffered persecution, destitution and have been accused of treason against the government.
Several Nationalist leaders have criticized Hernandez´ties with known communist leaders in the country, negotiations with controversial personalities such as Venezuela´s Hugo Chavez and Hernandez´personality, sometimes said to be of bad temper, machiavellian, gangster-like, and presumptuous.
Humanist Christianity
Th National Party, a strong moderate right-wing institution, suffered a major change during the past election. Lobo Sosa took the party to a new ideology: Humanist Christianity. This new ideology was an attempt to make his far-right profile more digestible for liberals and independents. Juan Orlando Hernandez was appointed to generate this ideology and came through with a leftist set of changes causing his opponents to tingle. However, Lobo Sosa asked for patience, getting his party´s support and turning victor in the general election.
The new ideology, however, would rapidly loose trust. Christian leaders from the protestant and catholic sectors were not happy with the involvement of religious propaganda in politics, while Human Rights national and international organisms would contradict the humanist part of Hernandez´government slogan after a series of human right abuse rumors.
Other Nationalist leaders have gone back to the old ideology "Social Justice with Liberty and Democracy" criticizing Hernandez and his attempt to become president using congress as leverage. Many accusations regarding Hernandez sources for propaganda have arose, including drug money, state money and the use of government institutions to bring his profile up.
Presidential Aspirations
Hernandez has made his intentions clear, he wants to become president. This has brought many critics to maintain a sharp eye on all of his moves. Hernandez has Lobo´s support however, and stands with real chances to become president.
Nepotism
A heavily criticized aspect of Hernandez´s government has been the hiring of large part of his family in several government institutions. Harsh criticisms have arose after a local newspaper pointed out irrefutable evidence that at least 28 of Hernandez´ family members are employed in the government. Hernandez has maintained silence and has not commented on this issue.