One year ago today, on June 28, 2009, the Honduran people chose to uphold their Constitution and the rule of law by removing former President Manuel Zelaya from power, a close ally of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez who was taking the Honduran people down the path of less freedom.

But even though the Honduran people were following the rule of law, the international community punished them for instituting what they believed to be a “military coup.” Honduras was suspended from the Organization of American States (OAS) and had their vital U.S. assistance temporarily frozen, causing them to permanently lose part of their Millennium Challenge Corporation project.

Even in the face of adversity (as well as a devastating tropical storm and the worst draught in 25 years), Honduras continued its fight for democracy and the rule of law. They withdrew from ALBA, an organization of leftist states in Latin America; they created a new human rights officer to respond to increasing attacks on journalists in their country; and their interim president, Roberto Micheletti, oversaw a peaceful, free and fair presidential election in November.

Honduras was able to accomplish great things for its democracy, all while dealing with charges and visits from our own government, which was focused not on helping our friend and ally, but shaming and threatening them into rewriting history.

A year after standing up to a ruthless leader who attempted to dismiss the country’s constitution in an effort to maintain power, the Honduran people have their sights set on their nation’s future.

President Lobo inherited a country that was in the worst shape it had been in over the past 40 years: a dire economic situation, a growing number of attacks on journalists, and a sharp increase in drug trafficking by illegal gangs. In fact, according to a Reuters report, some 1,600 people died in drug violence in Honduras in 2009.

Unfortunately, as a result of the shortsighted interference by the United States, the Lobo Administration has been forced to place its first focus on rebuilding its diplomatic relations with the international community, rather than tackling the many problems within their nation.

As we continue to work with Honduras to overcome the challenges it faces in providing freedom, security and prosperity to the Honduran people, I call on the State Department to provide one clear message: those who look conformity directly in the face, and choose the fight of freedom, are the heroes required to build a free and fair society, and will always have a place as a friend and ally of the United States.

I take this opportunity today, on the one-year anniversary of the removal of former President Manuel Zelaya, to encourage the Honduran people to continue their fight for freedom, security and prosperity, and I pledge my continued support for them in this noble goal.

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