Here's the second of two images of the U.S. invasion of Honduras in 1925. When I posted the first photograph of the arrival of the U.S. Marines in Honduras, I told the story of the imperiled U.S. Legation. This time around I'll provide a brief history of the invasion itself.
Here's what happened: In 1919, General Rafael López Gutierrez, the leader of the Liberals, became President of Honduras. In the elections of 1923, none of the candidates for president won a clear majority. So, General López decided to extend his presidency to another term. Meanwhile, the United Fruit Company supported a conservative named General Carías for president. Unfortunately for Lopez, he was assassinated, and civil war erupted in a mad scramble for political power. When all hell broke loose, the United States sent in the Marines to protect the U. S. Legation and as a force for mediation.
The war in Honduras left 5,000 dead, and the fruit company alliance to which Carías belonged emerged as victors. But in keeping with its policy toward leaders of coups, the United States declared that it would not recognize Carías if he were made president. A conservative ally of Carías became president, while Carías remained the dominant political figure in the country and in control of the country's military. In 1928 elections were held again, and the elections were honest enough that the incumbent conservative lost. And a member of the Liberal Party became president.
