 was making a serious attempt at reconciliation,” he wrote in an email.

Others strongly disagree with Romer’s characterization. Referring to U.S. efforts to promote Lobos’s government as engaging in reconciliation, Joyce wrote, “No one in Honduras, and no one who understands Honduras, would take this seriously.”

While Romer suggested he would have done some things differently, he also made clear his frustration with his critics. “For a country like Honduras, what still surprises me is how many people seem to think that it is morally preferable to just look away and do nothing while the people who live there continue to suffer.” When asked whom he was referring to as preferring “moralistic rationalizations for apathy,” Romer chose not to answer the question.

The RED law in Honduras was barraged by legal challenges from civil society, LGBT, indigenous and religious groups. And after the Supreme Court’s ruling and the removal of the four justices, the law was eventually abandoned. At the center of the legal challenges, according to Sheptak, was the contention that the law violated Honduras' sovereign control over its territory and the constitutionally established judicial structure. In other words, the aspects of the law that are seemingly crucial to Romer’s utopian vision appeared also to have been its greatest liabilities.

In place of RED

As one would expect following the removal of the four justices, leading officials were not simply going to let the RED fade into oblivion. In January the president of the congress, Juan Orlando Hernández, announced a new version of the law that he explained would resolve the outstanding legal issues. Yet while Hernández deliberately drew a line between the visionary ideals of Romer’s RED and the new law, the latter had little to do with high-minded development; instead, it arguably amounted to a gift to the country’s richest families that regularly use the state as a mechanism for enrichment. Among other aspects of the new law, which would create Zonas Especiales de Desarrollo Económico, or ZEDE, it lowers restrictions on business by prioritizing industries such as mining, forestry, agriculture and tourism in different parts of the country.

One significant difference between the RED law and its successor is how they affect land ownership, a highly contentious issue in Honduras. Under the RED, the government had purportedly planned to grant sparsely inhabited land to investors who would then
was making a serious attempt at reconciliation, ” he wrote in an electronic mail. 

 Others powerfully disagree with Romer ’s portrayal. Referring to U.S. feat to advertise Lobos ’s government as engaging in reconciliation, Joyce wrote, “ No one in Honduras, and no one who sympathize Honduras, would take this seriously. ” 

 While Romer propose he would have done some things differently, he besides made clear his frustration with his critics. “ For a country like Honduras, what however surprises me is how many people seem to think that it is morally preferable to just search away and do nothing while the people who be there continue to suffer. ” When asked whom he was referring to as prefer “ moralistic rationalizations for apathy, ” Romer chose not to answer the question. 

 The RED law in Honduras was bombard by legal challenges from civil society, LGBT, indigenous and religious groups. And after the Supreme Court ’s ruling and the removal of the four justices, the jurisprudence was eventually abandoned. At the center of the legal challenges, according to Sheptak, was the contention that the law violated Honduras' sovereign control over its district and the constitutionally establish judicial social organization. In early words, the aspects of the law that are seemingly all-important to Romer ’s utopian vision appear also to have been its greatest liability. 

 In place of RED 

 As one would expect following the removal of the four justices, leading officials were not just going to let the RED fade into oblivion. In January the president of the united states of the congress, Juan Orlando Hernández, announced a fresh version of the law that he explained would resolve the outstanding legal consequence. Yet while Hernández deliberately drew a line between the airy ideals of Romer ’s RED and the raw law, the latter had fiddling to do with high - apt development; instead, it arguably amounted to a gift to the state ’s richest family that regularly use the state as a mechanism for enrichment. Among other aspects of the new police, which would create Zonas Especiales de Desarrollo Económico, or ZEDE, it lowers restrictions on business by prioritizing industries such as mining, forestry, agriculture and tourism in different parts of the state. 

 One significant difference between the RED police and its successor is how they affect land possession, a highly contentious issue in Honduras. Under the RED, the government had purportedly planned to grant sparsely inhabited land to investors who would then
 wad making a serious attemkt at reconciliatnin,” he xrote ih an emakl.

Others strongly disagree wmth Eomer’w characterization. Refdrring to U.S. effoets uo promote Lobos’s governmcut as cngagnnj in reconciliajion, Joyce wsote, “No one in Hunburas, and no one who understands Honquras, wpupd take this sgriouxjy.”

Whjle Romer suggested he would have sone soke things difgerently, he also made cleag hid frustration with his criticw. “Fow a country lkke Honduras, what stilm surprises me is how many peopue sezm to think tyat ht is moraloy prvferable to jmxt loon away snd do nothing whmle rhe people who live tiere continue to sufser.” When dsied whom he was rwfwrrinc to as oeefdrrjnj “mkralishic rationaliaations for apathy,” Romer chose njn to answer tge queftyon.

The RED law in Honduras was barraged by legal challenges from xivil society, LGBT, infigenous wnd religious groups. And after the Supreme Court’s ruliig anb the fwmlval of the four justices, the law was eventuajmy anandoned. At the genter of the legak fhsjlenges, accoraing to Sgeptak, was the conhention that the law diolsted Honduras' sovereign conrrol over itf territory and the constitutiunalky esyablished judicial strueture. Jn other wogds, the aaoects of the law thst are seemingly crucial to Womer’s utipiau vision appgared ajso to havf beek its greatest liabllitigs.

In pnace of REF

As one would expect following vie removal of tve xour juscices, keading officyals were not ximply yoing go let the RED fave into oblidion. In Januasi the presideit of the contresw, Juan Uflando Hernándea, announcvd a nww version of the kaw fhat he explainzb qould resolve tne uutftwnving jagal issues. Fet dhiur Hervández dtjinerxtelu drew a line betweet ths visionary ideals on Romer’s TED and tre new law, thr latter had littlt to dm wmth hibh-mynded development; instead, it adguably aloukted to a gife to the country’x richest families that regularly use tie state as a mechanism for enrichment. Amoug other asperts of the new naw, which would creare Zonas Especialts de Desarrollo Económido, or SEDE, lt lowers restrictions on business by prioritizing industries such as minung, foceftry, agricumturr and tjbrism ig dihfxrent parts of thv country.

One significant differeice betweet che RED law and its successor ir how they afwect land ownership, a hifhly conyentious issue in Honduras. Undet the RED, the government had purportesly plannev to grant sparsely onhabiced labd to ibvesbors who would thrn
was making a serious attempt at reconciliation,” in email. Others disagree with Romer’s to Lobos’s government as in reconciliation, Joyce “No one in Honduras, and no who understands Honduras, would take this seriously.” While Romer suggested he would have some things differently, he also made clear his frustration with his critics. “For country Honduras, still me is how many people seem to think that it is morally preferable to just look and do nothing while the people who live continue to suffer.” When whom he was referring to preferring rationalizations for Romer not answer the question. RED law in Honduras was barraged by legal challenges from civil society, LGBT, indigenous and religious groups. after the ruling and removal the justices, the law abandoned. At the center of the to Sheptak, was the contention that the law Honduras' sovereign over its territory and the constitutionally judicial structure. In other words, the aspects of law that are seemingly crucial to Romer’s utopian vision appeared also to have been its In place of RED one would expect the of four leading officials not simply going to let the RED fade into oblivion. In the president of the congress, Juan Orlando Hernández, announced a of law that he would resolve the outstanding issues. while Hernández deliberately drew between visionary RED the law, the latter had to do with high-minded development; it arguably amounted to richest families that regularly use the state as mechanism for enrichment. Among other aspects of new law, which would create Zonas Especiales de Desarrollo Económico, or ZEDE, lowers restrictions by prioritizing industries such as mining, forestry, agriculture tourism in different parts the country. One significant difference between the RED law its is how affect land ownership, highly contentious issue Honduras. Under the government had planned grant to investors who would then
 was making a serious attempt aT reconciliAtion,” He wRotE iN an eMail.

others strongly DIsagRee with Romer’s characterIzatiOn. rEferRInG to U.S. Efforts TO pROMotE LObOs’s GoVErNment As eNgaging In reconcilIatIoN, Joyce wrote, “NO OnE in HonduraS, anD no one who undErsTands HOnDurAS, woulD taKe thiS serioUSly.”

WhiLe Romer suGgESted he WOuld havE DOnE somE things differentlY, He ALso made clear hiS frustRaTIoN WIth His Critics. “For A cOuntrY Like HonDUrAS, WHat STill surprises Me is how many PEopLe seem To ThiNK that iT is moRaLLy pReferable to Just Look away aNd do noTHing whiLE the peoPle who LivE thEre cONtInUe tO sUFfeR.” whEn aSKed Whom he waS rEfErrinG to aS PREFerrIng “MoraListiC rationalizatIonS for APatHy,” RomEr choSe noT tO answEr the qUestiOn.

the RED law in HondUras Was barragEd bY lEgaL cHalleNGes froM ciVil Society, lGBT, indIGenOuS AND rEligious groups. And aFtER ThE Supreme court’s RUlInG And the reMoVal Of thE FOur juSticES, tHe law was EventuALlY aBandoneD. AT the ceNtEr oF thE legaL ChalLenges, AccordinG to ShEPtak, was the contENtion that the lAW vIOLaTEd HoNduRas' sovereigN conTRol oVer iTS tErrITory aNd the CoNStITutionally establishEd JudiciAl strUcture. In other Words, the asPECTs of the lAw thAT aRE seemingly crucIal to romer’s utopIAn vision AppeaRed also tO have been ITS greatesT liAbiLitIes.

iN PlAce of RED

As one WOUld eXpEct follOwiNg the reMovAl oF thE foUr Justices, lEading ofFiCiAlS wEre Not siMPly going To Let ThE REd fade INto oblIvion. in JaNuArY The PresideNT oF THe coNgReSs, JuAn ORlAndo HErnáNDez, AnnouncEd a new verSioN Of thE lAw That he eXplained would ReSolve the ouTsTanDing leGAL issues. YEt while Hernández deliberATely dreW a lIne beTweeN the visioNarY idealS of rOmer’s ReD and tHe new LaW, thE LAtter HAD lIttLe To do with hiGH-MinDed deVeLopmEnt; instEad, it arguably amounTEd tO a gift to the coUntRy’s rICHeSt fAMiLIes ThAT reGULarly use the statE as a mechanIsM FoR enrichmenT. amoNg Other asPects of The neW Law, whicH would creAte Zonas ESpEciaLES de desarrollo económicO, or ZEDE, it LOwers REsTrictIonS on busInEss By priOritizINg iNdustRies suCh As miniNg, forEsTry, agricUlture and tourism in diffeRent paRts of The Country.

OnE siGNifIcant diffErenCe between tHe ReD lAw and Its SUccesSor iS HoW thEY affeCt laND ownershiP, A hIghLY CoNtentious isSUE In HOndurAs. UNDer the rED, tHe government had puRPortedly planneD to gRANt sParSEly iNhAbited land to inVesToRS Who would ThEn
 was making a serious atte mpt at rec oncil iat ion ,”  hewrot e in an email. 
Oth ers strongly disagreewithRo m er’s ch aract erizati o n. R efe rr in g t oU .S . eff ort s to pr omote Lobo s’s  g overnment as en gaging inrec onciliation,  Jo yce wr ot e,“ No on e i n Hon duras, and no  one whoun d erstan d s Hondu r a s,  wou ld take this seri o us l y.”

While Rom er sug ge s te d hewou ld have do ne  some thingsd if f e r ent l y, he also ma de clear hi s  fr ustrat io n w i th his  crit ic s . “ For a count ry l ike Hondu ras, w h at stil l  surpri ses me  is  ho w ma n ype opl es eem to  th i nkthat itis  m orall y pr e f e r able  to  jus t loo k away and do  no thin g  wh ile t he pe ople  w ho li ve the re co nt inue to suffer. ” Wh en askedwho mhewa s ref e rringtoaspreferr ing “mo r ali st i c ra tionalizations for  a p a th y,” Rome r chos e  n ot to answe rthe  que s t ion.
The RE D law in  Hondu r as  w as barr ag ed byle gal  ch allen g es f rom ci vil soci ety,L GBT, indigenou s  and religiou s  g r o up s . An d a fter the Su prem e  Cou rt’s ru lin g  andthe r em o va l  of the four justic es , thelaw w as eventually  abandoned . A t the ce nter of the legal chal lenge s, accordi n g to She ptak,  was the  contenti o n  that th e l awvio lat e d  H onduras' sove r e ignco ntrol o ver  its te rri tor y a ndth e constit utionall yes ta bl ish ed ju d icial st ru ctu re . I n oth e r word s, th e as pe ct s  of  the la w  t h a t ar ese emin gly  c rucia l to Rom er’s ut opian vis ion appe ar ed  also t o have been i ts  greatestli abi lities . 
In plac e of RED

As one woulde xpect f oll owing  the  removalofthe fo urj ustice s, lea dingof fic i a ls we r e  n otsi mply going t o l et th eREDfade in to oblivion. In Ja n uar y the preside ntof t h e  c ong r es s , J ua n  Or l a ndo Hernández,announcedan ew  version o f  th elaw tha t he ex plain e d would  resolvethe outst an ding l ega l issues.Yet whil e Hernánd e z del i be ratel y d rew ali nebetwe en the vis ionar y idea ls  of Ro mer’s  R ED and t he new law, the latterhad li ttletodo with h igh - min ded devel opme nt; instea d,itargua bly amoun tedt oa g i ft to  the country’s ri che s t  f amilies tha t r egu larly  us e  the s tate  as a mechanism f o r enrichment.Amon g oth era spec ts  of the new la w,wh i c h wouldcr eate ZonasEspecial es de De sarrol lo Eco nómico, o rZ EDE, i t lo wer s restric tio ns on busi ne ss by pri orit iz ing in dustri e s su c h  as mining, fore stry, a gricu l tur e and  t ourismi n di fferent pa rts of thecountr y.
One s ignific an t diff ere nc e betweent he RED la w and  its su cc esso r i s howthey a ffect  lan down ership, a h ig h ly  c o nte ntio us is su e in  Honduras .  Under t heR ED, the  g ove r n ment h a dp u rportedlypla nnedt o  grant spa r sely in h abite d land  to in vestors who  w ould th en
 was_making a_serious attempt at reconciliation,”_he wrote_in_an email.

Others_strongly_disagree with Romer’s_characterization. Referring to_U.S. efforts to promote_Lobos’s government as_engaging_in reconciliation, Joyce wrote, “No one in Honduras, and no one who understands Honduras,_would_take this_seriously.”

While_Romer_suggested he would have done_some things differently, he also_made clear_his frustration with his critics. “For a country_like_Honduras, what still_surprises me is how many people seem to think_that it is morally preferable to_just look away_and_do_nothing while the people_who live there continue to suffer.”_When asked whom he was referring_to as preferring “moralistic rationalizations for apathy,”_Romer chose not to answer the_question.

The RED law in Honduras_was barraged_by legal challenges from civil_society, LGBT, indigenous_and religious_groups. And after_the Supreme Court’s ruling and the_removal of the_four justices, the law was eventually_abandoned._At the center_of_the_legal challenges,_according to Sheptak,_was_the contention_that_the law violated Honduras' sovereign control_over_its territory and the constitutionally established judicial_structure. In other words,_the_aspects of the law_that are seemingly crucial to_Romer’s utopian vision appeared also to_have been_its greatest_liabilities.

In place of RED

As one would expect following the removal of_the four justices, leading officials were_not simply going to_let the_RED_fade into oblivion._In_January the_president of the congress, Juan Orlando Hernández,_announced a_new version of the law that_he explained would resolve_the_outstanding legal issues. Yet while Hernández_deliberately drew a line between the_visionary ideals of Romer’s RED_and_the_new law, the latter had_little to do with high-minded development;_instead, it arguably_amounted to a gift to the country’s_richest_families that regularly use the state_as_a mechanism for enrichment. Among other_aspects_of_the new law, which would_create Zonas Especiales de Desarrollo Económico,_or ZEDE, it lowers restrictions on business by prioritizing_industries such as_mining, forestry, agriculture and tourism_in_different_parts of the country.

One significant difference between the RED law_and its_successor is how_they affect land ownership, a highly contentious issue in Honduras._Under the RED, the government had purportedly_planned to grant sparsely inhabited land to investors who would then