Romeo Vásquez Velásquez
Encyclopedia
Romeo Vásquez Velásquez is a retired Brigadier
general turned politician. He was head of the armed forces
of Honduras
from January 11, 2005 to January 25, 2010. He was born in Siguatepeque
, Comayagua. In 1972 he joined the army, and he attended the School of the Americas
(SOA/WHINSEC) at least twice, in 1976 and 1984. Romeo Vásques, who also has a degree in economy and finances, is married to Licida Zelaya Lobo, from Olancho, and they have five children.
on June 25, 2009, for refusing to allow the armed forces to help in conducting an referendum on a constitutional change proposed by President Zelaya. Romeo Vásquez stated he had refused to help with the vote which was aimed at removing the constitutional term limit of one term per President because the Supreme Court
had ruled the vote illegal. Zelaya has denied the referendum was intended to extend term limits, but in fact was to ask the people if they wanted to add the question of a constitutional assembly to the November ballot. Later the same day,
However, five judges of the Supreme Court acted unanimously in favor of a ruling chief of staff, retoring him to office after declaring his removal unconstitutional. The resolution cites Article 40 of the Constitutive Act of the Armed Forces, Decree 39-2001, that establishes: "The head of the Joint Chiefs will run for three years in office and only be removed by resignation, incapacity absolute disqualification from office for final decision and loss or suspension of citizenship decreed by competent authority in accordance with the law and by the end of his time on active duty in the armed forces. The military forcibly exiled President Zelaya on June 28, 2009 precipitating the 2009 Honduran political crisis. The Attorney General charged the military leadership for this act, but the Supreme Court dismissed all charges.
Porfirio Lobo Sosa appointed Romeo Vásquez Velásquez as the head of the state-owned telecom company Hondutel
.
Vásquez Velásquez is intending to run for president of Honduras in the elections in 2013, for the party Alianza Patriótica Hondureña, formed in 2011.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
general turned politician. He was head of the armed forces
Military of Honduras
-pre-1979:During the twentieth century, Honduran military leaders frequently became presidents, either through elections or by coups d'état. General Tiburcio Carías Andino was elected in 1932, he later on called a constituent assembly that allowed him to be reelected, and his rule became more...
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...
from January 11, 2005 to January 25, 2010. He was born in Siguatepeque
Siguatepeque
Siguatepeque is a small town in the Central Mountains of Honduras, Central America at 1100 metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains.Located almost exactly halfway between Honduras' two largest cities of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, it is a major stopping point for rest and refreshment...
, Comayagua. In 1972 he joined the army, and he attended the School of the Americas
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation , formerly the United States Army School of the Americas is a United States Department of Defense educational and training facility at Fort Benning near Columbus, Georgia in the United States...
(SOA/WHINSEC) at least twice, in 1976 and 1984. Romeo Vásques, who also has a degree in economy and finances, is married to Licida Zelaya Lobo, from Olancho, and they have five children.
2009 Honduran constitutional crisis
He was sacked by President Manuel ZelayaManuel Zelaya
José Manuel Zelaya Rosales is a politician who was President of Honduras from January 27, 2006 until June 28, 2009. The eldest son of a wealthy businessman, he inherited his father's nickname "Mel," and, before entering politics, was involved in his family's logging and timber businesses.Elected...
on June 25, 2009, for refusing to allow the armed forces to help in conducting an referendum on a constitutional change proposed by President Zelaya. Romeo Vásquez stated he had refused to help with the vote which was aimed at removing the constitutional term limit of one term per President because the Supreme Court
Supreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
had ruled the vote illegal. Zelaya has denied the referendum was intended to extend term limits, but in fact was to ask the people if they wanted to add the question of a constitutional assembly to the November ballot. Later the same day,
However, five judges of the Supreme Court acted unanimously in favor of a ruling chief of staff, retoring him to office after declaring his removal unconstitutional. The resolution cites Article 40 of the Constitutive Act of the Armed Forces, Decree 39-2001, that establishes: "The head of the Joint Chiefs will run for three years in office and only be removed by resignation, incapacity absolute disqualification from office for final decision and loss or suspension of citizenship decreed by competent authority in accordance with the law and by the end of his time on active duty in the armed forces. The military forcibly exiled President Zelaya on June 28, 2009 precipitating the 2009 Honduran political crisis. The Attorney General charged the military leadership for this act, but the Supreme Court dismissed all charges.
Political career
On March 9, 2010, PresidentPresident of Honduras
This page lists the Presidents of Honduras.Colonial Honduras declared its independence from Spain on 15 September 1821. From 5 January 1822 to 1 July 1823, Honduras was part of the First Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide....
Porfirio Lobo Sosa appointed Romeo Vásquez Velásquez as the head of the state-owned telecom company Hondutel
Hondutel
Hondutel , is Honduras' government owned telecommunications company.It has a monopoly on international calls...
.
Vásquez Velásquez is intending to run for president of Honduras in the elections in 2013, for the party Alianza Patriótica Hondureña, formed in 2011.