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Honduras interim Foreign Minister resigns after making racist comment about US President Obama
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President Barack Obama speaks at a press conference at the end of the G8 Summit in L'Aquila, Italy, Friday, July 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
The interim foreign minister Enrique Ortez, who assumed the position as a result of the coup, has not acted very diplomatically at a time when the interim government should want to be gaining support.
Ortez has insulted the country of El Salvador, a neighbor, stating that he wasn’t even going to talk about it because “it is not worth talking about such a small country, where you can’t even play football because the ball lands in another country.” He insulted José Rodrigues Zapatero, the Spanish President, saying “he should go back to his shoes”. He said he gave no importance to the Organization of American States, a group of 35 nations, “and the other little groups out there”.
Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya, right, talks to Hugo Llorens, US Ambassador to Honduras, before a meeting with electoral observers from US, Europe and Latin America, in Tegucigalpa, Saturday, June 27, 2009. President Zelaya enlisted government employees and supporters Saturday to set up polling stations for a rogue referendum that opponents say is little more than a power grab. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
However, Ortez may have saved his most significant insult for U.S. President Barack Obama, calling him “a little black man who doesn’t know anything “. The actual term he used in Spanish was “negrito” which has very negative racial connotations. The U.S. Ambassador Llorens reacted very strongly on Tuesday to Ortez’ remarks, stating, “As the official and personal representative of the President of the United States of America, I convey my deep outrage about the unfortunate, disrespectful and racially insensitive comment by Mr. Enrique Ortez about President Barack Obama.”
According to the Washington Times, Ortez attempted to explain his comments by the fact that he wasn’t sworn in yet as the interim Foreign Minister. He did send a letter of apology to President Obama.
Interim President Roberto Mitcheletti described the comments as “scandalous”. Friday, July 10, 2009 Mr. Enrique Ortez resigned.
For information on the coup read:
Honduras President ousted - world leaders condem coup
Condemnation of coup d'état in Honduras is overwhelming
**Updated** Showdown in Honduras. What will happen when ousted President Zelaya returns?
International pressure mounts against Honduras and coup leaders crackdown
Costa Rica President Oscar Arias to mediate Honduras crisis
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