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The crisis of Honduras demonstrates the limits of multilateralism and of U.S. influence over the internal affairs of even the smallest countries--particularly when the United States or the OAS fail to defend constitutional democracy. The United States and the OAS actually helped spawn the crisis in Honduras playing favorites in that country's internal politics. Pretending that it could manage the irascible Manuel Zelaya better than Honduras' own legitimate institutions and political players, the United States hampered internal efforts to rein him in. The OAS was an active accomplice in Zelaya's unconstitutional bid to hold on to power, agreeing to legitimize an illegal plebiscite. Had the United States or the OAS scrutinized Zelaya's anti-democratic measures, or even remained neutral, the crisis might have been averted by Honduras' internal politics, within its constitutional framework. We've now come full circle. From the beginning, Hondurans simply asked that their constitution be respected and their elections be recognized. After months of harsh sanctions and unseemly pressure aimed at getting Hondurans to accept an unconstitutional settlement, the United States and the OAS have relented, agreeing to let Hondurans decide Zelaya's fate according to their Constitution. Also, the United States has agreed to stop pressing for Zelaya's return, respect Honduras' Constitution, recognize the results of Nov. 29 elections and end economic sanctions. This may pass for a diplomatic victory, but it's merely a case of diplomats extracting themselves from a mess of their own making. This outcome cleared the way for the confirmation of the thoughtful, respected diplomat Arturo Valenzuela as assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs. If he hopes to rely on effective multilateralism in the Americas, he must cooperate with allies to restore the legitimacy of the OAS, which has forfeited all credibility by failing to defend democracy from the attacks of caudillos in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras and Nicaragua. He must also lead a review of the threat of authoritarian populism to democracy and stability in the region.

Roger F. Noriega is a visiting fellow at AEI. His law and advocacy firm, Tew Cardenas, LLP, represents U.S. and foreign governments and companies.