Call for Closure of ‘School of the Americas’

U.S Catholic leaders have condemned the military coup in Honduras, called for the peaceful return of President Manuel Zelaya and urged the United States to close the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, a U.S. military training center at Ft. Benning, Georgia formerly known as the “School of the Americas. The facility has a long history of teaching torture, extortion and execution. For decades, graduates have suppressed human rights leaders, political dissidents and innocent civilians in Latin America. General Romeo Orlando Vásquez Velásquez, who toppled President Zelaya on June 28, is a graduate.

“Catholics in the United States and around the world stand in solidarity with the people of Honduras as they struggle through this traumatic time,” said Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala of Los Angeles. “The overthrow of a democratically-elected president is an affront to human dignity and another tragic example of why closing the notorious School of the Americas is a moral priority. This training center continues to graduate leaders who have undermined the rule of law and terrorize communities seeking justice and peace. I pray for the Honduran people and urge the international community to do all we can to help ensure that President Manuel Zelaya is returned from exile.”
 
“We are deeply concerned about the impact of the coup on the Honduran people, particularly the most vulnerable and those who are working for social justice and human rights,” said Marie Dennis, the Director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns in Washington and the Co-President of Pax Christi International.  “We urge the immediate restoration of elected President Zalaya, an end to violence, and respect for human rights.”
 
“It’s tragic to see Honduras still suffering from the effects of this U.S military training school, known to many in Latin America as a ‘school of dictators’ because graduates have overthrown at least 11 Latin American governments,” said Eric LeCompte, the National Organizer for the School of the Americas Watch. “The Obama administration can send a clear message to Latin America, and make a clean break from the past, by closing this facility.”

Update: On June 25, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that requires the public release of names, rank, country of origin, courses and dates attended of students and instructors at the institute. The amendment was approved with a 224 to 190 vote. The amendment was offered by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA), Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Representative John Lewis (D-GA).