Last month, Honduras deployed soldiers and police to the province of Colón to quell a series of deadly clashes over land disputes. In an email interview, Orlando J. Pérez, a professor of political science at Central Michigan University, discussed Honduras' land disputes.
WPR: What is the historical background of land ownership and land disputes in Honduras?
Orlando J. Pérez: Conflicts over land are common in Honduras, with increased conflict since 2008. Land disputes are a symptom of the broader political, social and economic crises facing Honduras. They reflect the highly unequal nature of the country's economy and represent yet more evidence of the power of elite interests over those of the general population, especially in rural areas.