Mass Protests Erupt in Honduras Over Plans to Privatize Healthcare & Education

By Steve Bynum
Demonstrators march during a protest against the government of Honduras’ President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Thursday, May 30, 2019. Thousands of doctors and teachers have been marching through the streets of Honduras’ capital for the last three weeks, against presidential decrees they say would lead to massive public sector layoffs. The banners carried by the demonstrators read in Spanish ” Public health for all” and “Public health is not for sale. We will defend it.“
Demonstrators march during a protest against the government of Honduras' President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Thursday, May 30, 2019. Thousands of doctors and teachers have been marching through the streets of Honduras' capital for the last three weeks, against presidential decrees they say would lead to massive public sector layoffs. The banners carried by the demonstrators read in Spanish " Public health for all" and "Public health is not for sale. We will defend it." Elmer Martinez / AP Photo
Demonstrators march during a protest against the government of Honduras’ President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Thursday, May 30, 2019. Thousands of doctors and teachers have been marching through the streets of Honduras’ capital for the last three weeks, against presidential decrees they say would lead to massive public sector layoffs. The banners carried by the demonstrators read in Spanish ” Public health for all” and “Public health is not for sale. We will defend it.“
Demonstrators march during a protest against the government of Honduras' President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Thursday, May 30, 2019. Thousands of doctors and teachers have been marching through the streets of Honduras' capital for the last three weeks, against presidential decrees they say would lead to massive public sector layoffs. The banners carried by the demonstrators read in Spanish " Public health for all" and "Public health is not for sale. We will defend it." Elmer Martinez / AP Photo

Mass Protests Erupt in Honduras Over Plans to Privatize Healthcare & Education

By Steve Bynum
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Following the announcement of reforms in Honduras in April that would set up government bodies to restructure public education and health services, nationwide protests led by doctors and teachers assembled to demand the resignation of president Juan Orlando Hernández. They’re agitating against a steady decline in state investment in public services over the past decade, and the possibility that the new government bodies would privatize the education and health sectors.

Following months of protests and a state crackdown that , Hernández announced last Sunday night that the decrees would be revoked, but protesters, unions and trade groups returned to the streets on Monday and vow to continue demonstrating and striking until their demands that Hernández resign are met. 

Joining Worldview to discuss is Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle. He is a professional interpreter and translator, community organizer and member of the Chicago-based human rights group La Voz de Los de Abajo.