Jaime Rosenthal and Napoleón Larach represent their influential families of Russian-Jewish and Palestinian-Christian origin.The Rosenthal family originated from the city of Balti, Moldova, in the former Soviet Union, and came to Honduras because of the pogroms against Jews. The Larach family, orthodox Christians from the village of Beit Jala near Bethlehem, were persecuted in the Ottoman Empire because of their belief and hence fled to Honduras. Like many other Palestinians who migrated to South and Central America around 1900, they became very wealthy. Honduras is still ruled by a few wealthy families, to which the Rosenthal and Larach families belong. They possess estates, industry, hotels, banks, telecommunication and media. Jaime Rosenthal and Napoleón Larach are reading their newspapers “Tiempo” and “La Prensa” on the Red Couch. They are the national Honduran newspapers in possession of the families.
Liveable?
Larach: Good relations and respect for friends, acquaintances and other people of whatever nationality. We all live together in a beautiful country.
Rosenthal: I work 16 to 18 hours a day. My favourite pastime is work. No one dies of too much work.
Not liveable?
Larach: What I do not like is fanaticism, which holds sway over some people because of religion. That is not the case here. I deeply regret what happens in the Middle East. There will never be peace.
Rosenthal: Despite the death of my son, I am a very content person. I do not complain. I have many houses, lots of estates, I am a member of the best clubs in the world and have many friends.
Happiness?
Larach: I feel that I have realised my full potential. I have raised a big family and we get along perfectly. That is why we are happy.
Rosenthal: Every day, every morning and evening when I go to bed I am happy. I lead a very happy life.
Unhappiness?
Larach: The riots, revolutions and civil wars here in Honduras, war amongst brothers. There were many murders. I have seen many dead people. They were sad moments. Many of my friends were killed.
The Red Couch, Here & There, San Pedro Sula-Series
Edition of 3