Blood of Extraction

by Todd Gordon

  235 La Prensa, “Listo financiamento para obras de ciudad modelo,” La Prensa, July 8, 2011. Available online at: http://archivo.laprensa.hn/Apertura/Ediciones/2011/07/09/Noticias/Listo-financiamiento-para-obras-de-ciudad-modelo. Accessed on July 8, 2011. For the sake of comparison, U.S. FDI in 2010 was C$1.058 billion at an average exchange rate for 2010 of C$1.03 per US$1. Readers should also bear in mind when considering this comparison that the U.S. economy is roughly ten times the size of Canada’s. Canada, in other words, has a comparable absolute and high relative rate of investment compared to the U.S. See data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce (available online at: http://www.bea.gov/iTable/index_MNC.cfm) and the Bank of Canada (available online at: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/10-year-converter/).

  236 Personal Interview, Pedro Landa, Tegucigalpa, June 24, 2011.

  237 A. Buncome, “The world’s riches and the poor: dark side of the gold rush,” The Independent, May 11, 2006. Available online at: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article363616.ece. Accessed on October 1, 2009; C. Amador, R. Escober and R. Gamero, personal interview, Tegucigalpa, June 17, 2011. Maverick executive quoted in D. Kosich, “No love lost between Honduran NGOs and miners,” Mineweb, August 18, 2004. Available online at: http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/%20page15831?oid=14930andsn=Detail. Accessed on August 29, 2009.

  238 Development and Peace, “The Honduran Mining Law—the Debate over Reforms or a New Law,” Montreal, September 2007; A. Ludeña, “Still no mining law,” Latin America Press, April 1, 2011. Available online at: http://www.latinamericapress.org/articles.asp?item=2&art=6345. Accessed on May 4, 2011.

  239 Development and Peace, “The Honduran Mining Law”; A. Bird, “Community Leaders Arrested on Trumped Up Charges for Protecting Forests From Illegal Loggers Linked to Goldcorp,” Washington: Rights Action, July 5, 2011.

  240 P. Landa, Personal Interview, Tegucigalpa, June 24, 2011. Critics of Goldcorp also reported in July 2009 that the company paid ex-workers and other locals to attend pro-coup rallies in the capital. Rights Action, “Honduras Coup Alert 41,” Rights Action Electronic Bulletin, August 2, 2009.

  241 Office of the Embassy, “Meeting with Yamana Gold Officials and Site Visit,” Tegucigalpa: Office of the Embassy, date unknown, 2008, Access to Information, file A-2009-00780.

  242 The connection between mining companies and the coup likely inspired an anti-coup “mob” which, according to a letter from a Goldcorp executive sent to the ambassador and the head of CIDA in the country, targeted the company’s office during an August 2009 demonstration, graffiting its walls and throwing rocks at its windows. E. Villacorta, “Office in Tegucigalpa,” email communication between Goldcorp representative and Canadian embassy and CIDA office in Tegucigalpa, Tegucigalpa: Honduras, August 24, 2009, Access to Information, file A-2009-01803.

  243 Wimmer, “Canada-Honduras Commerical Relations,” Ottawa: Foreign Affairs and International Trade, November 10, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01177.

  244 P. Landa, Personal Interview, Tegucigalpa, June 24, 2011.

  245 D. Aresnault, Situational Report, Tegucigalpa: Canadian Embassy, June 30, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-00539.

  246 N. Reeder, Communication to Ottawa, Tegucigalpa: Canadian Embassy, July 26, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01177.

  247 The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum received C$150,000 from FAIT in 2010, a few months before Reeder’s suggests its services to Breakwater. “Disclosure of Grant and Contribution Awards Over $25,000: Foreign Affairs.” Available online at: http://www.international.gc.ca/department-ministere/transparency-transparence/grant-subvention.aspx?lang=eng. Accessed on December 8, 2010.

  248 The quotations and discussion regarding the mining law is taken from a series of email communications between Bob Carreau of Breakwater Resources and the Canadian embassy from May 11–25, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-00532.

  249 E. Wang, “Re: Honduras article in the Ottawa Citizen,” Ottawa: Foreign Affairs and International Trade, March 4, 2012, Acess to Information, file A-2012-01135. The official adds, as is rote in Canadian government discussion of mining laws, that the law will promote socially responsible mining.

  250 The quote is from El Heraldo and is cited in J. Moore, “Canada’s Subsidies to the Mining Industry Don’t Stop at Aid,” Mining Watch, June, 2012. Available online at: http://www.miningwatch.ca/sites/www.miningwatch.ca/files/Canada_and_Honduras_mining_law-June%202012.pdf. Accessed on June 28, 2012.

  251 El Heraldo, “Avanza dictamen de Ley de Minería en Honduras,” El Heraldo, May 31, 2011. Available online at: archivo.elheraldo.hn. Accessed on June 1, 2011.

  252 La Tribuna, “Ley de Minería vuelve a la agenda legislativa del 2012,” La Tribuna, January 4, 2012. Available online at: http://www.latribuna.hn/2012/01/04/ley-de-mineria-vuelve-a-la-agenda-legislativadel-2012/. Accessed on January 4, 2012.

  253 Communiqué, “Honduran organizations reject the National Congress’ proposed mining law because it violates the rights of the Honduran people,” Mining Watch. Available online at: http://www.miningwatch.ca/news/honduran-civil-society-groups-reject-proposed-mining-law-puts-corporate-interests-human-rights. Accessed on January 25, 2012.

  254 Amador, Escober and Gamero, Personal Interview, Tegucigalpa, June 17, 2011.

  255 F. Bianchini, Contaminación de agua en el area de explotación minera del proyecto San Martin, en el Valle de Siria y repercusiones sobre la salud humana, 2006. Available online at: http://www.miningwatch.ca/dangerous-contamination-levels-siria-valley-demonstrated-independent-study. Accessed on January 8, 2011.

  256 K. Spring and G. Russell, “Goldcorp and Honduran Regime Cover-up Blood and Urine Testing and Poisoning at San Martin Mine,” Rights Action, Electronic Bulletin, April 27, 2011.

  257 J. Almendarez, “Cover-Up: Goldcorp (Entre Mares) and the Government of Honduras Hide Information About the Poisoning of Children,” Rights Action, Electronic Bulletin, November 8, 2011.

  258 Spring and Russell, “Goldcorp and Honduran Regime Cover-up Blood and Urine Testing and Poisoning at ‘San Martin’ Mine.” www.rightsaction.org (April 27, 2011), accessed April 27 2011.

  259 R. Carroll, “Gold Giant Faces Honduras Inquiry into Alleged Heavy Metal Pollution,” Guardian, December 31, 2009. Available online at: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/dec/31/goldcorp-honduras-pollution-allegations. Accessed on July 26, 2013.

  260 P. Landa, “La policía nacional captura al secretario del comité ambienta a list del Valle de Siria,” Tegucigalpa, July 5, 2011; A. Bird, “Community Leaders Arrested on Trumped Up Charges.”

  261 K. Spring, “Military Coups, Mining and Canadian Involvement in Honduras,” Rights Action, Electronic Bulletin, September 10, 2010.

  262 Comité por la Libertad de Expresión, “Representante de minera amenaza a periodistas en el occidente de Honduras,” C-Libre, November 24, 2011. Available online at: http://www.clibrehonduras.com/alerta/representante-de-minera-amenaza-periodistas-en-el-occidente-de-honduras. Accessed on November 25, 2011.

  263 B. Marotte, “Gildan becomes global sock king with U.S. purchase,” Globe and Mail, April 12, 2011, p. B5.

  264 María Luisa Regalado, Personal Interview, San Pedro Sula, June 18, 2011.

  265 Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, 40th Parliament, 3rd Session, Ottawa, March 9, 2011, 7.

  266 CODEMUH, “Open Letter to The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada,” Choloma, Honduras, August 12, 2011.

  267 La Prensa, “Empresario de la pornografía dirige proyectos en Trujillo,” La Prensa, March 7, 2011. Available online at: http://www.laprensa.hn/honduras/548832-97/empresario-de-la-pornografia-dirige-proyectos-en-trujillo. Accessed on March 8, 2011.

  268 Canadian Business, “Next-generation havens,” Canadian Business.
Available online at: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/next-generation-havens/. Accessed on June 27, 2011.

  269 S. Parra, “Honduran Caribbean on a Tightrope,” Inter Press Service, June 26, 2010. Available online at: http://www.ipsnews.net/2010/06/environment-honduran-caribbean-on-a-tightrope/. Accessed on July 6, 2010.

  270 La Prensa, “Empresario de la pornografía dirige proyectos en Trujillo,” La Prensa, March 7, 2011. Available online at: http://www.laprensa.hn/honduras/548832-97/empresario-de-la-pornografia-dirige-proyectos-en-trujillo. Accessed on April 4, 2016; Life Vision Properties, “Randy Jorgensen Meets with President Lobo.” Available online at: http://lifevisionproperties.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/randy-jorgensen-meets-with-president-lobo/. Accessed on June 28, 2011.

  271 Life Vision Properties, “Randy Jorgensen Presented Special Award from President Lobo.” Available online at: http://lifevisionproperties.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/randy-jorgensen-presented-special-award-from-president-lobo/. Accessed on June 28, 2011.

  272 COPINH, “Condenamos la llegada de Stephen Harper,” August 12, 2011. Available online at: http://www.copinh.org/article/condenamos-la-llegada-de-stephen-harper-primer-min/. Accessed on December 24, 2015.

  273 Celso Alberto Guillén, Personal interview, Guadalupe, Honduras, June 22, 2011.

  274 D. Paley, “Snowbirds Gone Wild! Canadian Retirees and Locals Clash in Honduras,” Rights Action, Electronic Bulletin, November 4, 2010.

  275 La Prensa, “Trujillo se queda sin otro proyecto turístico,” La Prensa, April 27, 2011. Available online at: http://www.laprensa.hn/honduras/543822-97/trujillo-se-queda-sin-otro-proyecto-turistico. Accessed on May 2, 2011.

  276 D. Paley, “Snowbirds Gone Wild!”

  277 La Tribuna, “Invertirán más $200 millones en el rubro turístico de Honduras,” La Tribuna, September 27, 2011. Available online at: www.latribuna.hn. Accessed on September 27, 2011.

  278 N. Reeder, Situational Report, Tegucigalpa: Office of the Canadian Embassy, January 30, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01179.

  279 Wimmer, “Canada-Honduras Commerical Relations”; D. Arsenault, Situational Report, Tegucigalpa: Canadian Embassy, June 30, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01177; N. Reeder, Situational Report, Tegucigalpa: Canadian Embassy, February 22, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2009-02141.

  280 Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honduras Country Strategy Process 2006-07, San José, Costa Rica: 2006, Access to Information, file A-2010-02422.

  281 These meetings are discussed in communications between the embassy and Ottawa, and the embassy and the Canadian companies. Interestingly, despite CIDA being an aid agency, given that the embassy in San José, Costa Rica is credited to Honduras, the head of CIDA often serves as a point person in Honduras for the embassy, including remaining in contact and meeting with Canadian mining company representatives.

  282 The quotation is from Wimmer, from the Latin American and Caribbean Commercial Relations section of DFAIT, “Canada-Honduras Commerical Relations,” Ottawa: Foreign Affairs and International Trade, November 10, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01177.

  283 Wimmer, “Canada-Honduras Commerical Relations,” Ottawa: Foreign Affairs and International Trade, November 10, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01177.

  284 N. Reeder, “Re. Canadian Mining meetings,” communication between Canadian embassy and Breakwater Resources, San José: Costa Rica, March 23, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-00532.

  285 B. Singleton, “draft letter from Amb Reeder to Bob Carreau, Breakwater Resources,” communication between CIDA Ottawa and CIDA office in Tegucigalpa, Ottawa: Foreign Affairs and International Trade, March 24, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-00532.

  286 Name redacted, “Visit Ministry of Industry to Gildan,” communication between Gildan and Canadian embassy, Choloma Cortés: Honduras, March 8, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-00532.

  287 S. Cuffe, “Canadian Aid, Honduran Oil: Ottawa funds set to encourage oil investment,” The Media Co-op, March 12, 2014. Available online at: http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/canadian-aid-honduran-oil/20987. Accessed on March 13, 2014.

  288 Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honduras Country Strategy Process 2006–07.

  289 Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honduras Country Strategy Process 2008–09.

  290 La Tribuna, “Congreso elimina el contrato de Lothelsa,” La Tribuna, October 14, 2011. Available online at: www.latribuna.hn. Accessed on October 14, 2011; La Tribuna, “Loterías tradicionales no desaparecerán,” La Tribuna, October 14, 2011. Available online at: www.latribuna.hn. Accessed on October 14, 2011; Personal Communication with Joanna Lostracco, Canadian Commerical Communication, December 9, 2011. The CCC is an arms-length state agency that negotiates contracts with and identifies Canadian investment or trade partners for governments of countries primarily in the Global South.

  291 N. Reeder, Situational Report, Tegucigalpa: Office of the Canadian Embassy, July 26, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01177.

  292 Foreign Affairs and International Trade, “Diplomatic Appointments,” Ottawa, August 12, 2010.

  293 E. Wang, “Agenda—visit of Ambassador Mackay to Tegucigalpa,” San José: Canadian Embassy, September 30, 2010, Access to Information, file A-2010-01177.

  294 Global Affairs Canada, “Canada-Central America Four (CA4) Free Trade Negotiations.” Available online at: www.international.gc.ca. Accessed on January 10, 2012.

  295 Foreign Affairs and International Trade, “Canada Pursuing Free Trade Agreement with Honduras,” Ottawa, February 11, 2011.

  296 La Tribuna, “TLC con Canadá generará inversiones en sector minero,” La Tribuna, February 8, 2011. Available online at: www.latribuna.hn. Accessed on February 8, 2011.

  297 Canhuati quoted in Proceso, “Textilera canadiense proyecta invertir más de 100 millones de dólares en Honduras,” Proceso, February 4, 2011. Available online at: http://www.proceso.hn/component/k2/item/56295.html. Accessed on February 4, 2011; La Tribuna, “Maquiladores hondureño respaldan TLC con Canadá,” La Tribuna, February 2, 2011. Available online at: www.latribuna.hn. Accessed on February 2, 2011; B. Marotte, “Gildan becomes global sock king with U.S. purchase,” Globe and Mail, April 12, 2011, p. B5.

  298 Prime Minister’s Office, “Prime Minister Harper Announces Conclusion of Free Trade Negotiations with Honduras,” Ottawa, August 12, 2011.

  299 COPINH, “Condenamos la llegada de Stephen Harper.” www.copinh.org, (April 12, 2011), accessed April 12, 2011.

  300 Foreign Affairs and International Trade, “Baird, Ablonczy React to Mali Coup Attempt,” Ottawa, FAIT, March 21, 2012.

  301 Foreign Affairs and International Trade, “Canada Supports Suspending Mali from La Francophonie,” Ottawa, FAIT, March 30, 2012; C. Clark, “Canada halts aid to Mali after military coup,” Globe and Mail, March 24, 2012, p. A16.

  302 N. Reeder, Situational Report, Tegucigalpa: Office of the Embassy, July 7, 2009. Oda quoted in Clark, “Canada halts aid to Mali,” p. A4.

  303 D. Frank, “Hernández’s Election was Built on Corruption: U.S. Support for Nation’s New Leader is Misguided and Unethical,” San Francisco Chronicle, January 25, 2014. Available online at: http://m.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Frank-Hern-ndez-s-election-was-built-on-5174987.php?cmpid=opedhphcat. Accessed on May 28, 2014.

  304 Frank, “The Thugocracy Next Door”; D. Frank, “In Honduras, Military Takes Over with U.S. Blessing,” Miami Herald, September 11, 2013. Available online at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/10/3618867/in-honduras-military-takes-over.html. Accessed on May 28, 2014.

  305 E. Achtenberg, “In Post-Election Honduras, Challenges and Opportunities for the Resistance,” NACLA Report on the Americas, December 21, 2013. Available online at: http://nacla.org/blog/2013/12/21/post-election-honduras-challenges-and-opportunities-resistance. Accessed on May 28, 2014.


  306 Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, “Canada Strengthens Ties with Honduras,” News Release, January 14, 2014. Available online at: http://www.international.gc.ca/media/state-etat/news-communiques/2014/01/24a.aspx?lang=eng. Accessed on May 29, 2014.

  307 E. Achtenberg, “Report from Honduras: How the Election Was Stolen,” NACLA Report on the Americas, December 9, 2013. Available online at: https://nacla.org/blog/2013/12/9/report-honduras-how-election-was-stolen. Accessed on May 29, 2014

  308 E. Achtenberg, “In Post-Election Honduras, Challenges and Opportunities for the Resistance.”

  309 E. Achtenberg, “Report from Honduras: How the Election Was Stolen.”

  310 J. Johnston and S. Lefebvre, Honduras since the Coup: Economic and Social Outcomes, Washington, DC: Center for Economic and Policy Research, November 2013. The next few paragraphs on economic and social trends draw explicitly from this excellent report.

  311 Ibid., pp 1–2.

  312 Ibid., p. 1.

  313 Ibid., p. 9.

  314 Ibid., p. 1.

  315 Ibid., pp. 10–11.

  316 Ibid., p. 1.

  317 Grandin, The Last Colonial Massacre.

  318 C. Mcallister, “A Headlong Rush into the Future: Violence and Revolution in a Guatemalan Indigenous Village,” in G. Grandin and G.M. Joseph, eds., A Century of Revolution: Insurgent and Counterinsurgent Violence During Latin America’s Long Cold War, Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2011, p. 276.

  319 LaFeber, Inevitable Revolutions, pp. 113–114.

  320 Quoted in Ibid., p. 115.

  321 Quoted in Ibid., p. 116.

  322 J. Mahoney, The Legacies of Liberalism: Path Dependence and Political Regimes in Central America. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001, p. 212.

  323 This paragraph draws heavily on LaFeber, Inevitable Revolutions, pp. 113–120.

  324 G. Grandin, “Living in Revolutionary Time: Coming to Terms with the Violence of Latin America’s Long Cold War,” in Grandin and Joseph, eds., A Century of Revolution, p. 27.