Roberto Suazo Córdova facts for kids

Roberto Suazo Córdova was an important leader in Honduras. He served as the President of Honduras from 1982 to 1986. He was born on March 17, 1927, and passed away on December 22, 2018, at the age of 91.

Roberto Suazo Córdova's Presidency

In 1981, Roberto Suazo Córdova led the National Constituent Assembly. This group helped create the 1982 Honduran Constitution. He then won the presidential election by a clear majority. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Honduras. He became president in January 1982. Many people were surprised by his win. They thought the military might support the National Party of Honduras instead.

During his time as president, Colonel Gustavo Álvarez Martínez became the head of the armed forces. The Reagan administration in the United States asked Honduras for help. They wanted support against the Nicaragua's Sandinistas. They also wanted help against guerrillas from El Salvador who were active in Honduras.

The United States saw Honduras as a very important country in the region. President Suazo and Álvarez agreed to allow U.S. troops to conduct ongoing training exercises. They also allowed the U.S. to build and expand military bases in Honduras. Even Salvadoran troops were trained within Honduras. Honduras also provided a safe place and helped the Contras. The United States was training the Contras to fight against Nicaragua's Sandinista government.

Because of this, Honduras became a key partner in the U.S. military plans for Nicaragua and El Salvador. In return for this help, Honduras received a lot of money from the U.S. This included hundreds of millions of dollars, especially for military aid.