Inside the Mercado Negro of Honduras

One of the most striking differences between the commercial life of Honduras compared with El Norte is the preponderance of black market goods for sale in every large city and tiny village. Anything can be found, from pirated dvd's of the latest movies in the cinema, to second-rate knockoffs of leading wristwatch and clothing brands, to less licit items such as hard drugs and firearms, to everything in between. The black market here comprises a vast, thriving, and quite open economic underbelly, which is at least as competitive and profitable as the officially sanctioned, above-board economy. In a nation where the average per capita income is $1600 U.S. per year, the vast majority of citizens do not have a glut of disposable income to spend on items necessary for survival or luxury goods. In this trying context, ubiquitous and easy access to the black market makes sense. It is in fact essential to the well being of the populace over the long term.

No doubt, the corrupt central government and its weak regulatory apparatus condone the existence of the black market because it means joe pauper can get a taste of the better life for much less. In the absence of subsidized food items, universal health care, and affordable housing, every citizen must fend for his or her self, and there would no doubt be much greater social instability and political unrest in Honduras were the black market to be shut down or disrupted in any way. Moreover, millions of people can instantly become sidewalk entrepeneurs once they get their hands on anything that remotely has consumer appeal, and these same folks can get discounted material goods for sustenance or pleasure, even if the quality is often substandard and the actual origins of the items suspect.