Editing Gustavo Álvarez Martínez (section)

===Warlord ===
In January 1981, the then Colonel Gustavo Álvarez Martínez, who was Chief of Police or Public Security Force (FUSEP) was promoted to Brigadier General. In January 1982, with the beginning of the democratic era, and after having won the Honduran general elections of 1981 the candidate of the Honduran Liberal Party, Dr. Roberto Suazo Córdova; Álvarez Martínez assumes the position of commander of the Armed Forces, given the perception of a revolutionary threat from the left. His appointment represented for some observers the continuity of military power in the political life of the country. Álvarez Martínez had a high professional reputation both in Honduras and in the United States, allied countries in the fight against communism in Central America. He came to form a close alliance with President Suazo Córdova, motivated by his desire to eliminate possible rivals within the Liberal Party. Álvarez Martínez was a fervent anti-communist who had been intensely committed to the overthrow of the sandinista government in Nicaragua, participating directly in assisting and training the Nicaraguan Resistance [[Contras|Contra]]. He also promised to eliminate the small Marxist guerrilla organizations that had formed in Honduras.During his tenure at the head of the Armed Forces, on March 31, 1982, negotiations began with the United States to acquire the rights to the military base in Honduras. In April, Álvarez Martínez was promoted to brigadier general. In May he is given US access to the Palmerola, Golosón and La Mesa air bases. In September 1983 Álvarez signs a secret agreement in Washington to establish the Regional Military Training Center (CREM) in Puerto Castilla.