Honduras

1982. Honduras’ new constitution is passed. Tensions along the border and terrorist attacks during the summer accrue. Diplomatic efforts zero in on finding a solution to the nation’s political and economic issues within a regional framework. Honduras and Nicaragua accuse each other of egging on armed clashes along the border. In November and in the wake of the visit paid by Honduras’ Foreign Minister Edgardo Paz Barnica, relations between both countries improve. Honduras’ current constitution wins passage.

Preparations for military exercises between U.S. and Honduran troops get under way with a view to harass Nicaragua’s Sandinista government

1981. Tensions along the Nicaraguan border soar as a result of military clashes between the Sandinista army and the contras. Honduras condemns the French-Mexican declaration of support to El Salvador’s left-wing guerrillas. On November 29, the candidate of the Liberal Party, Roberto Suazo Cordoba, is elected president and is sworn in on January 27, 1982.

On October 30, Honduras and El Salvador resume full-out relations after signing the Lima Peace Treaty that put an end to an 11-year war

1980. Honduras joins the boycott against the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. On April 20, the Liberal Party wins the majority of votes for the National Assembly. On July 20, a military junta presided over by General Paz Garcia officially hands over the reins of the government to the people’s National Assembly

1978. A military coup topples President Melgar Castro and a military regime is established

The Salvadoran army breaches the cease-fire on August 31 in its conflict with Honduras. A new truce between both countries is signed on July 30.

1975. Colonel Juan Alberto Melgar Castro takes over the presidency