Council for a Community of Democracies

Update on Honduras Coup
September 22, 2009
By: Randi Zung

Despite threats of arrest from the interim government, the BBC reports that President Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras on September 21st. During his exile, Zelaya took refuge in neighboring Nicaragua. Zelaya has stated that the objective of his return is “to start the dialogue for the reconstruction of the Honduran democracy.” Upon his arrival in Tegucigalpa, Honduras’ capital, Zelaya took refuge at the Brazilian embassy, and was shown on national television waving to his supporters from the embassy’s balcony. Following the appearance, a 15 hour curfew, lasting from “four in the afternoon until six in the morning,” was instated in order to prevent any potential protests. The Honduran government later extended the curfew and shut down the country’s airports. Despite the curfew, supporters of Zelaya continued to demonstrate outside of the Brazilian embassy.

Zelaya’s return was a surprise to interim President Roberto Micheletti, who upon hearing the claims immediately denied them. Micheletti is now demanding that the Brazilian government hand over Zelaya so he can stand trial. Micheletti announced that any violence that results from this situation will be the fault of Brazil. In response, Brazil's Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, asserted that any threat of violence would be a “grave breach of international law.” The BBC reports the European Union has issued a statement calling for the conflict between Zelaya and the Honduran government to end.

Micheletti has stated that he will step down after the November 29th election.

Souces:
BBC News - Honduras urged to avoid violence
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8268385.stm

BBC News - Honduras curfew as Zelaya returns
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8268056.stm

BBC News - Zelaya 'will rebuild democracy'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8267982.stm