2009 Honduran constitutional crisis: Difference between revisions
RicoCorinth (talk | contribs) Delete text, and the opinion piece reference that it uses to assert fact, per WP:RS. |
Correcting the notion that this was a coup d'etat when it clearly is not. |
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{{Politics of Honduras}} |
{{Politics of Honduras}} |
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The |
The 2009 Lawful removal of the treasonous former President of Honduras per lawful order of the Honduran Supreme Court and National Assembly occurred when the Supreme Court lawfully directed the military forces to detain President Manuel Zelaya. The army seized him on June 28, 2009, and sent him into exile. The National Congress subsequently appointed its speaker Roberto Micheletti as acting president. |
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⚫ | Zelaya had been pursuing a poll on whether to convene a Constitutional Assembly which would draft a new constitution.[1] The Supreme Court ruled that by “proposing its reform” President Zelaya triggered the constitutional safeguard of Article 239 by which he “immediately cease[d his] function”.[2] A Supreme Court judge ordered the armed forces to detain the now ex-president.[3] The military's chief lawyer, Colonel Herberth Bayardo Inestroza, later stated, "In the moment that we took him out of the country, in the way that he was taken out, there is a crime. Because of the circumstances of the moment this crime occurred, there is going to be a justification and cause for acquittal that will protect us."[4] |
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⚫ | The constitutional crisis was sparked when Zelaya's referendum was ruled illegal by Honduras's Supreme Court, attorney general, top electoral body, and human-rights ombudsman.[5] Zelaya nonetheless unlawfully directed the Army Chief, in contravention to Honduran law and its Constitution, to distribute ballots in accordance with its role in lawfully assisting the Government of Honduras with conducting lawful elections (which the referendum was not lawful). After Army chief Romeo Vásquez Velásquez refused to distribute ballots, Zelaya unlawfully dismissed him from office. The dismissal was declared illegal by courts and the parliament. On June 28, 2009, shortly before polls were due to open for the poll, the armed forces deposed Zelaya.[6] Roberto Micheletti, the speaker of parliament and next in the presidential line of succession, was sworn in as President by the National Congress.[7] |
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⚫ | Zelaya had been pursuing a poll on whether to convene a Constitutional Assembly which would draft a new constitution. |
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⚫ | The interim government says that Zelaya was arrested in compliance with the constitution and that the succession has been a completely legal process as set out in Honduran laws,[8] but no foreign governments have endorsed this view and many of them have incorrectly described the events as a coup d'état[9] The General Assembly of the Organization of American States met in a special session on Tuesday 30 June to "vehemently condemn" the coup, demand the return of Zelaya within a three day deadline or Honduras would be expelled from the organization.[10] Deputy Attorney General Roy David Urtecho has begun an investigation into why Zelaya was removed by force instead of being taken to court.[4] |
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⚫ | The constitutional crisis was sparked when Zelaya's referendum was ruled illegal by |
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⚫ | The interim government says that Zelaya was arrested in compliance with the |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
Revision as of 01:40, 5 July 2009
This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (June 2009) |
The 2009 Lawful removal of the treasonous former President of Honduras per lawful order of the Honduran Supreme Court and National Assembly occurred when the Supreme Court lawfully directed the military forces to detain President Manuel Zelaya. The army seized him on June 28, 2009, and sent him into exile. The National Congress subsequently appointed its speaker Roberto Micheletti as acting president. Zelaya had been pursuing a poll on whether to convene a Constitutional Assembly which would draft a new constitution.[1] The Supreme Court ruled that by “proposing its reform” President Zelaya triggered the constitutional safeguard of Article 239 by which he “immediately cease[d his] function”.[2] A Supreme Court judge ordered the armed forces to detain the now ex-president.[3] The military's chief lawyer, Colonel Herberth Bayardo Inestroza, later stated, "In the moment that we took him out of the country, in the way that he was taken out, there is a crime. Because of the circumstances of the moment this crime occurred, there is going to be a justification and cause for acquittal that will protect us."[4] The constitutional crisis was sparked when Zelaya's referendum was ruled illegal by Honduras's Supreme Court, attorney general, top electoral body, and human-rights ombudsman.[5] Zelaya nonetheless unlawfully directed the Army Chief, in contravention to Honduran law and its Constitution, to distribute ballots in accordance with its role in lawfully assisting the Government of Honduras with conducting lawful elections (which the referendum was not lawful). After Army chief Romeo Vásquez Velásquez refused to distribute ballots, Zelaya unlawfully dismissed him from office. The dismissal was declared illegal by courts and the parliament. On June 28, 2009, shortly before polls were due to open for the poll, the armed forces deposed Zelaya.[6] Roberto Micheletti, the speaker of parliament and next in the presidential line of succession, was sworn in as President by the National Congress.[7] The interim government says that Zelaya was arrested in compliance with the constitution and that the succession has been a completely legal process as set out in Honduran laws,[8] but no foreign governments have endorsed this view and many of them have incorrectly described the events as a coup d'état[9] The General Assembly of the Organization of American States met in a special session on Tuesday 30 June to "vehemently condemn" the coup, demand the return of Zelaya within a three day deadline or Honduras would be expelled from the organization.[10] Deputy Attorney General Roy David Urtecho has begun an investigation into why Zelaya was removed by force instead of being taken to court.[4]
Background
Manuel Zelaya, a businessman with a record of activism on behalf of decentralization of power and respect for indigenous peoples, was elected in 2005 as the relatively moderate candidate of the country's historically powerful Liberal Party.[1] Since taking office, Zelaya's left-leaning economic and social policies have earned him praise from labor unions and civil society groups[1], whereas it alienated him from his own party and a significant part of the Honduran electorate[2], which were particularly upset by Zelaya's unexpected turn to forge a regional alliance with the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, established by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and other leaders in Latin America as a counter to the "neoliberal" trade and security policies sponsored by the United States.[1] Thus, the The New York Times, reports that much of Zelaya's support is dervied from labor unions and the nation's poor, while many of the middle and upper classes fear he wants to introduce Hugo Chávez’s brand of "socialist populism."[3] According to The Economist, "Mr Zelaya’s presidency has been marked by a rise in crime, corruption scandals and economic populism."[2] By April 2009, a Mitofsky opinion poll showed that only one in four Hondurans approved of Zelaya, the lowest approval rating of 18 regional leaders.[4]
Constitutional Assembly plans
On the day of Zelaya's removal from office, 28 June 2009, a non-binding consultative poll[5] was to be held on whether to conduct a referendum in November (alongside the Presidential elections) to approve the convening of a Constitutional National Assembly which would draft a new constitution.[6] The existing constitution explicitly bars changes to some of its clauses. The poll was presented in much of the international media[5] as relating to an amendment of the constitution to allow reelection of presidents to be held. In line with the existing constitution, Zelaya would have been ineligible to participate in the November 2009 elections, which would have been held concurrently with the referendum.[7] The poll was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court and attorney general.[8]
The intended consultative poll was rejected by Congress, the attorney general, and the top electoral body, and ruled illegal by the Supreme Court.[9] The Constitution can only be modified by a two-thirds majority of Congress. Furthermore, certain core articles of the Constitution are "set in stone" and cannot be modified, either by Congress or by a referendum.[10] Furthermore, to prevent continuismo, Honduras’ Constitution Article 239 explicitly prescribes:[11], [12]
"No citizen who has already served as head of the Executive Branch can be President or Vice-President. Whoever violates this law or proposes its reform, as well as those that support such violation directly or indirectly, will immediately cease in their functions and will be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years."
Opposition to plan
On June 23, 2009 the National Congress passed a law forbidding holding referenda and plebiscites less than 180 days before the next general election; as the next elections are set for 29 November 2009. Since this bill was passed after the referendum was scheduled, Zelaya rejected its applicability to this case.This bill would also be an impediment to the referendum Micheletti suggested to let the electorate decide whether or not to let Zelaya return.[13]
Congress had begun discussing how to impeach Zelaya but lacked a clear constitutional process to do so.[14][failed verification] Congress, including most of Zelaya's own party, had voted for an urgent investigation of whether Zelaya had violated the constitution and even whether he was "mentally incapable" to hold office.[15] Zelaya responded to the congressional leader Roberto Micheletti, a member of the same party who has since been sworn in as President in his stead, by saying "What's with you, Roberto. I was elected by the people, not the congress. How would you make me ineligible, you're a lousy second-rate congressman who got your post because I gave you space in my party."[15]
The military is in charge of security and logistics in elections in Honduras. Zelaya asked them to perform their election role for the referendum, but the head of the military command, General Romeo Vásquez Velásquez, refused the order to pass out the election materials because the referendum had been deemed illegal and unconstitutional. Zelaya subsequently removed him from his position but the Honduran Supreme Court unanimously ordered the General reinstated. Zelaya staged a protest at an air force base and led a citizen march to take possession of the referendum materials stored there, which were then guarded by the national police.[16]
The Supreme Court, the Congress, and the military recommended that voters stay home because the referendum would be neither fair nor safe to voters. The National Human Rights Commissioner, Ramón Custodio, said "I would tell the people to stay calmly at home in order not to get involved in any incident or any violence by going to vote 'no,' because they might be assaulted by these mobs," referring to Zelaya's supporters.
Overthrow of Zelaya
Orders for Zelaya's Detention
On Saturday June 25th, the Honduran Attorney General issued an arrest warrant against Zelaya.[17] On June 26, 2009, the Honduran Supreme Court ordered the capture of José Manuel Zelaya Rosales for “acting against the government, treason, abuse of authority, and usurpation of power,” and detention at his home in the Tres Caminos area of Tegucigalpa.[18]
Zelaya's detention
Soldiers stormed the presidential palace in Tegucigalpa early in the morning of 28 June, disarming the presidential guard, waking Zelaya and putting him on a plane to Costa Rica. Colonel Bayardo said “It was a fast operation. It was over in minutes, and there were no injuries, no deaths. We said, ‘Sir, we have a judicial order to detain you.’ We did it with respect.” [19] Tanks patrolled the streets and military planes flew overhead. Soldiers guarded the main government buildings. The government television station and a television station that supports the president were taken off the air. Television and radio stations broadcast no news. [3] In Costa Rica, Zelaya told the pan-Latin American channel TeleSUR that he had been awoken by gunshots. Masked soldiers took his cellphone, shoved him into a van and took him to an air force base, where he was put on a plane. He said he did not know that he was being taken to Costa Rica until he landed at the airport in San José. "[3]
Within several hours of his removal, Zelaya spoke to media in San José, Costa Rica, calling the events "a coup" and "a kidnapping." He stated that soldiers pulled him from his bed and assaulted his guards. Zelaya stated that he would not recognize anyone named as his successor, that he would be meeting with diplomats and that he wanted to finish his term in office.[20]
Later that day, the Supreme Court issued a statement that it had ordered the army to remove Zelaya from office.[21] The Supreme Court stated "The armed forces, in charge of supporting the constitution, acted to defend the state of law and have been forced to apply legal dispositions against those who have expressed themselves publicly and acted against the dispositions of the basic law".[22] On June 30, the military's chief lawyer, Colonel Herberth Bayardo Inestroza Membreño, showed a detention order, signed June 26 by a Supreme Court judge, which ordered the armed forces to detain the president, identified by his full name of José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, at his home in the Tres Caminos area of the capital. It cited him for treason and abuse of authority, among other charges.[23] Colonel Inestroza later stated that deporting Zelaya did not comply with the court order: "In the moment that we took him out of the country, in the way that he was taken out, there is a crime. Because of the circumstances of the moment this crime occurred, there is going to be a justification and cause for acquittal that will protect us."[24] He said the decision was taken by the military leadership to "avoid a bloodshed".[25]
Zelaya's replacement
The National Congress voted to accept what they claimed was Zelaya's letter of resignation. [26] Zelaya has said he did not write the letter. Later the Congress voted unanimously to remove Zelaya for "manifest irregular conduct" and "putting in present danger the state of law." By a show of hands, the National Congress then elected the President of the National Congress Roberto Micheletti, a member of Zelaya's party, as President to succeed Zelaya.[27]
Acting President Roberto Micheletti ordered a 48-hour curfew which began on Sunday night (June 28) and ended on Tuesday (June 30). Originally the curfew ran from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.[28]That curfew was later revised to be in effect from 10pm to 5 am, and has been extended twice and is currently scheduled to end on July 7.[29]Also on July first, the National Congress issued an order (decreto ejecutivo N° 011-2009) at the request of Micheletti suspending four constitutional guarantees during the hours the curfew is in effect.[30]
Other detentions
According to Venezuela's ambassador to the OAS, the ambassadors of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua were taken into custody by the military and transported to the airport.[31] Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez stated that the Venezuelan ambassador was assaulted by Honduran soldiers and left by the side of a road.[32]
Also, allies of Zelaya, among them several government officials, have been taken into custody by the military.[33] Foreign Minister Patricia Rodas and the mayor of the city San Pedro Sula, Rodolfo Padilla Sunseri, have been detained at military bases.[3] Several congressmen of the Democratic Unification Party (PUD) have been rounded up, too, and their party's presidential candidate César Ham is allegedly hiding in a secure location.[34] Tomás Andino Mencías, a member of the party, reports that PUD lawmakers have been led away by the military when they tried to enter the parliament building for the vote on Micheletti's deposal.[35]
Hugo Chávez and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez have both separately claimed that Honduran Foreign Minister Patricia Rodas has been detained by the Honduran military. Rodríguez said that the Cuban, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan ambassadors to Honduras had tried but were unable to protect Rodas from a group of masked soldiers who forcibly took her from their grasp.[36] Rodas was sent to Mexico, which offered her asylum and help to resolve the situation.[37]
Protests
A group of around 150 people that supported Zelaya gathered outside the building in protest, throwing stones at soldiers and shouting "traitors, traitors".[31][38]
According to the New York Times, "several thousand protestors supporting the (ousted) president faced off against soldiers outside the presidential palace, burning tires."[3] For several hours on Sunday, electricity and communications in the capital Tegucigalpa had been interrupted.[33]
Crackdown on the opposition
In a move to crack down on the opposition, the nation’s Congress approved a decree on July 1st that applied during an overnight curfew and allowed security forces to arrest people at home and hold them for more than 24 hours.[39]
The Washington Post reported that the "new Honduran government clamped down on street protests and news organizations [July 1st] as lawmakers passed an emergency decree that limits public gatherings following the military-led coup that removed President Manuel Zelaya from office." The decree also allowed for suspects to be detained for 24 hours and continued a nighttime curfew.
A dozen former ministers from the Zelaya government went into in hiding, some in foreign embassies, fearing arrest. Before emergency measures were tightened, thousands of protesters rallied July 1st to urge Zelaya's return.[40]
This article's factual accuracy is disputed. |
Media war
The broadcast of at least some news media is currently suppressed in Honduras. Members of the military reportedly shut down at least one radio station and halted TV transmission of teleSUR and CNN en Español.[41] Associated Press reporters have been arrested. The Miami Herald reported on July 1st, "Stations that are broadcasting carry only news friendly to the new government."[42]
TeleSUR journalist Adriana Sívori, who was in Tegucigalpa reporting the clashes between the police and protesters, was arrested by the military under threat, and had her passport apprehended. As soon as the international community learned of the detention, and after the quick intervention of the Venezuelan ambassador in Honduras, the journalist and the staff who accompanied her were released. Sívori was reportedly assaulted by the soldiers who detained her. TeleSUR was, until the detention and quick release of journalist Sívori, the only channel that was broadcasting live on all developments in the political crisis.[43]
There was also some information that the newspaper Diario El Tiempo had been prohibited to broadcast information about the developments. Canal 11 located in Colonia de Miramontes was also prohibited to broadcast information about the developments. The Cable Color buildings, which also broadcasts programming of CNN and TeleSUR, were surrounded by military forces.[44]
According to a press release published on the website of Radio Globo Honduras, they suffered intimidation and violations of their freedom of expression because the radio's building was surrounded by military forces, and the employees were only allowed to enter the building to work after negotiation. It was said that at 6 PM on Monday 28 a group of 60 soldiers assaulted the physical installation of the radio station, took the radio off the air and the employees, including Alejandro Villatoro, were threatened and intimidated. The station was allowed to resume transmission, but staff had to follow some rules which they believed limited freedom of expression.[45] It was said also that CNN in Spanish had interruptions of its transmission. The website of the radio was down but has been re-established. Alejandro Villatoro said that he was arrested and kidnapped for some hours by the military forces.[46]
"Honduras’ two leading radio networks, Radio América and Radio HRN, have urged Hondurans to resume their normal routine and not to protest."[47] The anti-Zelaya and pro-coup Honduran newspaper La Prensa reported on 30 June that angry Zelaya supporters attacked La Prensa's main headquarters by throwing stones and other objects at their windows, until police intervened. The paper also alleges that Venezuelan and Nicaraguan secret agents were behind the attack.[48]
Media outlets complained that the government ordered them not to report any news or opinion that could "incite" the public. News organizations in Honduras were polarized. Journalists working for small independent media -- or for those loyal to Zelaya -- reported being harassed by officials.[40]
Developments
June 28
On Sunday night, Reuters reported that hundreds of pro-Zelaya protestors, some masked and wielding sticks, set up barricades of chain link fences and downed billboards in the center of Tegucigalpa and blocked roads to the presidential palace. Reuters witnesses heard gunshots outside the presidential palace that apparently came after a truck arrived at the protest, and an ambulance also appeared. It was not clear who fired the shots. One witness said shots were fired only in the air and there were no initial reports of injuries.[49]
Late at night on Sunday, June 28, Zelaya and Foreign Minister Rodas flew to Managua, Nicaragua, to attend a meeting the next day of the Central American Integration System. Also planning to attend the meeting were several heads of state of the Rio Group and ALBA including Hugo Chávez and Felipe Calderón.[50] At the meeting, the presidents of Central America agreed to freeze all official payments and loans to Honduras.[51]
June 29
Protests continued the following Monday. Around 1,500 pro-Zelaya protesters taunted soldiers and burned tires just outside the gates of the presidential palace in a face-off with security forces.[52] CNN reported that although the military had fired tear gas into the crowd at some point, the day was "generally calm" in Honduras.[53] Two people were reportedly killed as a result of clashes between protesters and soldiers. Juan Barahona, leader of the United Workers Federation, claimed soldiers opened fire on the crowds with live ammunition.[54] News media remained off air, replaced by tropical music, soap operas, and cooking shows. Reporters Without Borders condemned the "news blackout" and Reuters reported the use of Twitter to beat the censorship.[55]
President of the Honduran Peace Committee, Dr. Juan Almendares, speaking 29 June on Democracy Now! said: the military are taking repressive actions against some members of the legitimate government of President Zelaya and also popular leaders. He claimed that there is "effectively" a national strike of workers, people, students and intellectuals.[56]
Zelaya announced in Managua on Monday night that he would be returning to Tegucigalpa on Thursday, July 2. He also invited fellow Latin American leaders, including OAS general secretary José Miguel Insulza, to accompany him on his return.[57] The new foreign minister of Honduras, Enrique Ortez, said that Insulza and any other presidents would be welcome but that Zelaya would not be allowed to enter.[58]
In one of the protests, about 2000 pro-Zelaya protestors marched to the Pacific from La Colonia Las Brisas de Comayaguela to Boulevard Juan Pablo Segundo, in Tegucigalpa. The march was organized by employees of Zelaya's government and workers' groups.[59]
There were also protests in San Pedro Sula in which the Bloque Popular and more pro-Zelaya protesters asked for the restitution of Zelaya to power.[59]
June 30
Pressure on the new government continued to grow as the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution which called for the reinstatement of Zelaya as the President of Honduras. Zelaya spoke in front of the General Assembly where he was applauded several times. In his speech, Zelaya promised not to seek another term as President and said that he would not accept a second term if he were asked to serve again.[60] After the UN session, Zelaya then headed to Washington, D.C., where he was going to attend an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States General Assembly convened under the Inter-American Democratic Charter to discuss the crisis. In Washington, Zelaya was scheduled to meet with United States Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon.[61]
Meanwhile, Honduran Attorney General Luis Alberto Rubi announced that Zelaya would "immediately" be arrested if he returned to Honduras, where legal officials have accused him of 18 crimes including "treason" and "abuse of authority."[62]
Pro-Zelaya protests continued on Tuesday, June 30. Union leaders announced a nationwide strike and estimated that up to 10,000 pro-Zelaya protesters were marching in Tegucigalpa and around the country.[62]
Tuesday also saw the first rally in support of Zelaya's removal take place in the capital, as thousands of Zelaya opponents took to the main square. Roberto Micheletti made an appearance and said that the November general elections will be held as scheduled and that a new president will be sworn in on January 27, 2010. Micheletti also had strong words for the crowd: "They told me a few people with leftist intentions would try to scare us, but not the brave men and women of our nation," as sympathizers responded with chants of "Democracy! Democracy!".[63] General Romeo Vásquez Velásquez also attended and spoke at the rally.[64]
The World Bank announced that it would stop disbursing loans of up to $270 million U.S. dollars to Honduras until the political situation stabilizes.[65]
July 1
The Organization of American States General Assembly agreed on Wednesday to a resolution which "condemns vehemently" Zelaya's removal and gives Honduras three days to restore Zelaya to the presidency or face possible suspension from the group.[66] Zelaya then announced that he would postpone his planned return, which was initially scheduled for Thursday, July 2. Instead, he would wait until the OAS deadline runs out, and then return to his country.[67] The United States also said it would wait until the deadline ran out before considering what to do about US aid to Honduras, which by law must be cut off if a head of state is overthrown in a coup.[68] After the OAS meeting in Washington, Zelaya flew to Panama City in order to attend Ricardo Martinelli's inauguration as President of Panama.[69]
Zelaya plans to return to Honduras with a delegation of Latin American leaders, including the Presidents of Argentina and Ecuador. Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez said that if there was aggression against the delegation, military action by the United Nations might be warranted.[70]
Meanwhile, Interim President Roberto Micheletti reiterated that Zelaya would be arrested as soon as he were to step foot in the country. In an interview with the Associated Press, Micheletti said that only a foreign invasion could restore Zelaya as president. "(Zelaya) can no longer return to the presidency of the republic unless a president from another Latin American country comes and imposes him using guns. I was appointed by Congress, which represents the Honduran people. Nobody can make me resign unless I break the laws of the country," said Micheletti.[67]
Micheletti later announced at a press conference that a delegation representing the new government would travel to Washington on Wednesday to meet with the OAS. The delegation would explain to OAS General Secretary José Miguel Insulza "what really happened" in Honduras, according to Micheletti.[71] However, Insulza said about this that he has not programed any meeting with them.[72] The Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, said he would not receive the new Honduran Chancellor and envoy of Micheletti Enrique Ortiz Colindres.[73]
Some members of the Honduran Congress said that they were discussing ways of reaching a compromise among themselves that would reinstate Zelaya. They warned, however, that such a deal could be a hard sell, given the widespread opposition to Zelaya in Congress.[74]
Both pro- and anti-Zelaya demonstrations continued throughout the country. The largest anti-Zelaya rally occurred in Choluteca, which received heavy coverage by the Honduran press. The pro-Zelaya protests were largely ignored by the same media outlets.[75] Pro-Zelaya protesters claim that the authorities are trying to prevent them from converging to protest, while allowing pro-coup demonstrators easy access to popular places for demonstrations.[75]
The pro-Zelaya protesters have been targeting a Burger King franchise in central Tegucigalpa that is owned by Micheletti supporters. The restaurant has been looted several times.[75] Also, several hundred pro-Zelaya student activists erected barricades of boulders, signposts and metal sheeting near the presidential palace. They covered their faces with bandanas and carried bats, branches and gasoline-filled bottles. Eventually however the activists removed the barricades and joined a larger, peaceful protest.[75]
Also on July first, the National Congress issued an order (decreto ejecutivo N° 011-2009) at the request of Micheletti suspending four constitutional guarantees during the hours the curfew is in effect.[76] These include articles 69, 71, 78, and 81 of the constitution. Article 69 guarantees the right of personal freedom. Article 71 requires being brought before a judge within 24 hours of being arrested. Article 78 provides for the freedom to associate with others, and article 81 provides for freedom of movement and the right to remain in the country.
July 2
The new Honduran government clamped down on street protests and news organizations Wednesday as lawmakers passed an emergency decree that limits public gatherings following Zelaya's arrest.[77]
More marches against Zelaya and in favor of the new government were carried out in Tegucigalpa. The anti-Zelaya demonstrators, numbering over 10,000 according to the anti-Zelaya newspaper La Prensa, chanted against Zelaya, Hugo Chávez, and foreign interference in Honduran affairs. [78]
In San Pedro Sula, 350 police and military broke up the thousands of pro-Zelaya protesters who where demonstrating in the center of the city with tear gas and water canons and chased protesters for blocks. During the pursuit, some protesters committed acts of vandalism. Xinhua reports at least 2 deaths, 60 injuries, and 270 arrests.[79] El Tiempo notes that among the arrested were bystanders not involved in the demonstration.[80] Police are now stationed in the center of the city to prevent demonstrators from recongregating.
The police announced the arrest of Marcelo Chimirri, ex-manager of the phone company Hondutel, who they accused of corruption. Marcelo Chimirri was appointed head of Hondutel by Zelaya.[81]
The Committee of Relatives of Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH), an association for civil rights, said that on Wednesday 1 July, police and military were flattening homes and sequestering people in the communities of Olancho, which is the birthplace of the president in exile, Manuel Zelaya Rosales. The military operations have occurred in communities Guacoca, San Francisco de la Paz, and Salamá Guarizama. The association denounced that the Armed Forces and the Police have unleashed repression against the people of Honduras and all liability for the violations being committed against social leaders, against whom there are arrest warrants, residents, rural communities, students, peasants and workers.[82]
Zelaya, meanwhile, announced to a press conference that he would pardon those involved in the coup when he returns as President of Honduras. "I am a Christian and know how to forgive and pardon. The people of Honduras will not forgive, but from me, in my heart, there is no ill-will towards anyone," he said.[83]
Micheletti's government stated that it is willing to hold this year's presidential election early, and that it might hold a referendum on allowing Zelaya to serve the remainder of his term, although holding such a referendum immediately would be "difficult."[84]
July 3
A video showing the army shooting out pro-Zelaya protestors' bus tires was released on CNN.[85]
There were protests for and against Zelaya in Tegucigalpa. About 100 000[86] people marched asking for the return of Zelaya according to Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. The pro-Zelaya protesters marched from Universidad Pedagógica Francisco Morazán down the Boulevard Juan Pablo II to Toncontin airport. The protesters against Zelaya concentrated in Plaza La Libertad and the interior of the Casa Presidencial and were organized by Comisión Cívica Democrática.[87][88][89][90][91][92]
Radio Globo Honduras said that when Zelaya was giving a interview to the radio on Wednesday 1 July, the radio was switched off by military forces. There was said also that the military forces are keeping guard on the transmissors of the radio since Sunday 28 June.[93]
The de facto interim government withdraws from the OAS, saying that there is no longer space for Honduras there. New deputy foreign minister Martha Lorena Alvarado said that her government "repudiates" the "unilateral measures" and "unworthy unilateral resolutions.[94]
The Supreme Court of Honduras has rejected a demand by the Organization of American States to reinstate the ousted President, Manuel Zelaya. OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza was told the court's position was "irreversible" when he met its president for two hours in the capital Tegulcigalpa. Danilo Izaguirre, spokesman for the Supreme Court, confirmed that it had rejected the OAS secretary general's demand. "Insulza asked Honduras to reinstate Zelaya but the president of the court Jorge Rivera categorically answered that there is an arrest warrant for him," he said.[95]
Of the 128 National Congress deputies, 19 have refused to recognize Michelletti as the president of Honduras, with 13 Zelaya deputies of the Liberal Party of Honduras and 6 deputies from Democratic Unification Party.[96][87]
July 4
Archbishop Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga asked Zelaya not to return to Honduras because his return could cause a bloodbath.[97] The Archbishop also read from Article 102 of the Constitution stating that no Honduran can be expatriated or handed over to a foreign State and that he believed that everyone merited an explication of what happened on June 28 and called for dialogue.[98] Later that day Zelaya announced he would return to Tegucigalpa on Sunday, accompanied by various presidents and other international representatives, [99] calling on supporters to remain peaceful: "Do not bring weapons. Practice what I have always preached, which is nonviolence. Let them be the ones who use violence, weapons and repression." [100]
In Honduras the protests for and against Zelaya continued. One source reported 200,000 gathered around Toncontin airport in Tegucigalpa awaiting Zelaya's return tomorrow promising not to allow him to be arrested. [101] Another source estimated the crowd at 10,000.[102] There were reports and photos of an elite unit of the armed forces, the Cobras, stationed as sharpshooters in the Toncontin airport tower.[103]
The new cabinet
The new cabinet so far[104][105][106]
- Enrique Ortez Colindres, Foreign Minister. He has been Honduran ambassador to the United Nations.
- Gabriela Núñez, Minister of Finance
- Desiré Rosales, Minister of Science and Technology
- Adolfo Lionel Sevilla, Minister of Defense
- Nicolás Gacía, Minister of Labor
- Norman Ochoa, Secretary of Natural Resources
- René Zepeda, Press Relations
- Germain Leitzelar, Minister without portfolio for Social Affairs and to organize a national dialog
- Mario Noe VillaFranca, Minister of Health
- Norman Ochoa, Viceminister of Natural Resources and the Environment (SERNA)
- Desiree Rosales, Director of Honduran Council of Science and Technology (COHCIT)
- Sandra Midence, President of Central Bank of Honduras
- Karen Zelaya, Secretary of International Cooperation (SETCO)
- Jorge Alberto Rodas Gamero, continues as Security Minister
- Martha Lorena Alvarado, Vicechanellor
- Cesar Quezada, Director of Transportation
- Mirna Castro, Minister of Culture
- Nelson Willy Mejía, Director de Migración
- Hernán Banegas, Minister of the Social Investment Fund (FHIS)
- Rosario Carías, Viceminister of Education
- Ana Abarca Uclés, Minister of Tourism
- José Alfredo San Martín, Director of Civil Aviation
- Justo César Miranda, Minister of Ethnic Groups
- Jorge Alberto Palma, Director of Institute for Forestry Conservation
- Miguel Ángel Rodas, Director of the National Telecommunications Commision (CONATEL)
- Alma Rodas de Fiallos, Director of the National Statistics Institute (INE)
Reactions
From other countries or international bodies
All Latin American nations (with the exception of Honduras), as well as the United States, Spain, France, and others, have publicly condemned the forced removal of Zelaya as undemocratic and most have labelled it as a coup d'état. President Barack Obama of the United States said "We believe that the coup was not legal and that President Zelaya remains the President of Honduras."[41][107] Amongst the stronger reactions, President of Venezuela Hugo Chávez, pledged to "bring down" any replacement government.[108] Americas-based international organizations such as the Organization of American States, Mercosur, and the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas have also condemned the events. Over ten Latin American countries, as well as all European Union countries,[109] agreed to withdraw their ambassadors from Honduras until Zelaya is returned to power.[110] No nation has publicly declared support for the Honduran military's actions or for the new acting President Roberto Micheletti, with the exception of Honduras itself, though Micheletti's government claims to have received support from Israel and Taiwan.[111] The Union of Democratic Organizations of America announced its support for the Micheletti government stating: "in Honduras there has not been a blow to the state, but rather a constitutional succession, perfectly legitimate, after the intent of ex-president Manuel Zelaya to violate the constitution and maintain power, following the mandate of Hugo Chavez".[112]
Venezuela has said it would suspend oil shipments, and Honduras's neighbors — El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua -- stopped overland trade for 48 hours.[113]
- United Nations: A one-page resolution, passed by acclamation in the 192-member body, condemned the removal of Zelaya as a coup and demanded his “immediate and unconditional restoration” as president.[61] The resolution calls "firmly and categorically on all states to recognize no government other than that" of Zelaya.[114]
- Americas: The OAS called for an emergency meeting on Sunday,[21][115] where it approved a resolution demanding "the immediate, safe and unconditional return of the constitutional president, Manuel Zelaya."[116] Secretary General José Miguel Insulza called the situation "a military coup."[117] On July 1, 2009, the OAS gave a three-day deadline for the new government to step down and put Zelaya back in power, and threatened to suspend Honduras from the organization if it refused.[118]
- The nine members of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas announced in a joint statement that they would not recognize any new government in Honduras.[119]
- Caribbean: In a press release, CARICOM denounced the coup and voiced its concern over the treatment of Honduran and diplomatic officials during the coup. "The Caribbean Community condemns the military action which has interrupted the democratic process in Honduras and which contravenes the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The Community therefore calls for the immediate reinstatement of President Zelaya."[120]
- The Association of Caribbean States condemned the coup in a statement and called for Zelaya's reinstatement. Additionally it stated, "we highlight our condemnation of the brutal treatment that Honduras military personnel gave to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Patricia Rodas as well as the Ambassadors of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. This situation is a serious violation of International law, and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."[121]
- Mercosur and Paraguay: President of Paraguay and current president pro tempore of Mercosur Fernando Lugo condemned the coup and said that no member state of Mercosur will recognize a Honduran government that is not led by Manuel Zelaya. Lugo also called for those behind the coup to be punished by serving prison sentences.[122]
- South American Union and Chile: Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, speaking on behalf of her government and Unasur, condemned the coup and referred to Zelaya as "legitimately elected by the people".[123]
- European Union: The European Union called on the Honduran military to release the president and restore constitutional order.[21] The EU decided on July 2 to remove all ambassadors from Honduras.[109]
- The World Bank: World Bank President Robert Zoellick stated that the World Bank has "paused" all lending for development programs to Honduras, said to be around $80 million for the next fiscal year. Asked under what conditions the World Bank would consider resuming lending to Honduras, Zoellick replied: "It is a situation that is in flux and fluid and in this case we are trying to play a supportive role with the region and its overall goals to restore democracy."[124]
- The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB): IADB President Luis Alberto Moreno stated that the IADB is pausing all new loans to Honduras until democracy is restored, adding: "We hope there is a way to return to democracy."[125]
Analytical theories
Comments of Álvaro Vargas Llosa
Álvaro Vargas Llosa, senior fellow at the Independent Institute, hypothesized in a June 30, 2009 New York Times editorial that the winner in Honduras was Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. Vargas Llosa remarked that Chávez helped Zelaya "set a trap for the military" and that they "fell for it", in effect "turning an unpopular president who was nearing the end of his term into an international cause célèbre." This fact according to Vargas Llosa now allows the "caudillo" Chávez "to claim the moral high ground", and exploit the situation to make himself the "unlikely champion of Jeffersonian democracy in Latin America."[126]
Preventing Continuismo
Under this theory, the critical issue underlying the removal of President Zelaya is that of continuismo, the propensity of Latin America’s autocratic rulers to perpetuate or continue their power. "The gravest threat to liberty comes from elected populists who are seeking to subject the institutions of the law to their megalomaniac whims."[127] Former Honduran Minister of Culture and lawyer Octavio Sánchez observed: "Continuismo – the tendency of heads of state to extend their rule indefinitely – has been the lifeblood of Latin America's authoritarian tradition."[12] To prevent continuismo and preserve the democratic rule of law, every Latin American country has implemented a strict presidential term limit, though some allow running again after waiting out a term.[128] To prevent continuismo, Honduras’ Constitution Article 239 prescribes:
"No citizen who has already served as head of the Executive Branch can be President or Vice-President. Whoever violates this law or proposes its reform, as well as those that support such violation directly or indirectly, will immediately cease in their functions and will be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years."[11][12] (emphasis added)
Sánchez observed: "Zelaya triggered a constitutional provision that automatically removed him from office. [...] Notice that the article speaks about intent and that it also says "immediately" [...] as in "no impeachment needed" [...] The Constitution's provision of instant sanction might sound draconian, but every Latin American democrat knows how much of a threat to our fragile democracies continuismo presents.. . .The instant sanction of the supreme law has successfully prevented the possibility of a new Honduran continuismo.”[12]
It is argued by some observers that this is irrelevant for the wholesale replacement of the constitution through a constitutional assembly.[7]
Socioeconomic Inequality
Miguel Tinker Salas, a Latin America specialist at Pomona College, opined in The Christian Science Monitor that the crisis over use of the referendum has its roots in Honduras's cold war era constitution, which he describes as written by the country's "liberal elites," and thus does not provide for referendums. Tinker Salas went on to state, "The referendum is the primary vehicle through which change has occurred in countries like Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia, and the elites know it. They wanted to nip this thing in the bud."[129]
United States Interventionism
Other observers have made note of the fact that Army chief Romeo Vásquez Velásquez and head of the Honduran Air Force General Luis Javier Prince Suazo, are graduates of the U.S. Army School of the Americas, which has raised concerns of possible CIA involvement.[130] Analyst Roberto Lovato expressed this concern to NPR remarking:
"the fact that Vasquez and other coup leaders were trained at the WHINSEC (School of the Americas), which also trained ... other military dictators responsible for the deaths, disappearances, and tortures of hundreds of thousands in Latin America, sends profound chills throughout a region still trying to overcome decades of U.S.-backed militarism."[1]
References
- ^ a b c d The Nation: In Honduras The Heat Is On by John Nichols, NPR, June 30 2009
- ^ a b "Defying the outside world". The Economist. 2009-07-02.
- ^ a b c d e "Honduran President is Ousted in Coup". The New York Times. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ Honduran President Ousted by Military
- ^ a b Counterpunch, 1 June 2009, Honduras: a Coup With No Future
- ^ "Sigue rechazo a la cuarta urna". La Prensa (in Spanish). June 11, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ a b Counterpunch, 1 July 2009, Why Zelaya's Actions Were Legal
- ^ Honduras Lurches Toward Crisis Over Election
- ^ "Honduran leader defies top court". BBC News. June 26, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
- ^ "Artículos pétreos no pueden reformarse ni con plebiscito ni referendo" (in Spanish). La Prensa.HN. 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ a b "República de Honduras / Republic of Honduras, Constitución de 1982 con reformas hasta 2005 (Political Constitution of 1982 through 2005 reforms)". Political Database of the Americas. Georgetown University.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url=
suggested) (help) Cite error: The named reference "ConstitutionHonduras" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ a b c d Sánchez, Octavio (July 2, 2009). "A 'coup' in Honduras? Nonsense. Don't believe the myth. The arrest of President Zelaya represents the triumph of the rule of law". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Congreso de Honduras aprueba ley de referendo contra Zelaya" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ^ "Honduras Crisis Opens Regional Rift".
- ^ a b "El Congreso hondureño inicia una investigación urgente al presidente". La Vanguardia (España) (in Spanish). 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ^ "Honduras president detained, sent to Costa Rica, official says". CNN. June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
- ^ "(Arrest warrant against Zelaya) Attorney General, Hondorus". 2009-06-25.
- ^ "Orden de captura contra Zelaya". Corte Suprema de Justica, Honduras. 2009-06-26.
- ^ Lacey, Marc. "Leader's Ouster Not a Coup, Says the Honduran Military". New York Times.
{{cite news}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "Honduran president calls arrest a 'kidnapping'". The Washington Post. Associated Press. June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Honduran leader forced into exile". BBC News. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ^ Honduras supreme court 'ordered army coup'
- ^ Lacy, Marc (July 1, 2009). "Leader's Ouster Not a Coup, Says the Honduran Military". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
- ^ Robles, Frances (July 3, 2009). "Top Honduran military lawyer: We broke the law". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 3, 2009.. Original Spanish interview at El Faro.net, El Salvador
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- ^ "Esta es la supuesta renuncia de Zelaya". 2009-06-25.
- ^ "Honduran military ousts president ahead of vote". Associated Press. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
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- ^ "Toque de queda hasta el martes". 2009-07-03.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|access-date=
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- ^ a b Ordaz, Pablo (June 28, 2009). "El Ejército expulsa al presidente hondureño, Manuel Zelaya". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved June 28, 2009.
- ^ "Honduras' Congress Names Acting President". SKY News. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ^ a b "Leftist leaders hold emergency meeting over Honduras coup". Christian Science Monitor. June 29, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ "Correction: Honduran Presidential Candidate Is Still Alive". Narco News. Notimex. June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ "Hondureños de 37 ciudades se movilizarán para restituir a Zelaya en la presidencia". Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ "Honduran Congress names provisional president". CNN. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ "Manuel Zelaya, Roberto Micheletti Duel For Honduras". The Huffington Post. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ Honduran Military Ousts President
- ^ "Compromise Is Sought to Honduras Standoff". The New York Times. July 01, 2009. Retrieved July 04, 2009.
{{cite news}}
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and|date=
(help) - ^ a b "Honduras Targets Protesters With Emergency Decree: Media in Country Also Feel Pressure". Washington Post. July 01, 2009. Retrieved July 04, 2009.
{{cite news}}
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and|date=
(help) - ^ a b "Obama says coup in Honduras is illegal". Reuters. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
{{cite web}}
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missing|last=
(help) - ^ Miami Herald, 1 July 2009, Honduras new government is censoring journalists
- ^ "Liberan a equipo periodístico de teleSUR detenido por la fuerza en Honduras, teleSURtv.net, June 29 2009 Template:Es icon (Retrieved on June 29 2009).
- ^ "Militares rondaron Canal 11, Cable Color y Diario Tiempo" (in Spanish). Diario El Tiempo. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Contra la libertad de expresion Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras de toman instalaciones de Radio Globo" (in Spanish). Radio Globo. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
{{cite web}}
:|first=
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(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Contra la libertad de expresion Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras de toman instalaciones de Radio Globo" (in Spanish). Radio Globo. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
{{cite web}}
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(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Nicholas Kozloff, Counterpunch, 2 July 2009, Spinning the Honduran Coup: Latin America Media Battle Continues
- ^ "UViolencia contra LA PRENSA". La Prensa. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Protests Erupt, Shots Fired After Honduras Coup". Reuters. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ Former Honduran president welcomed at ALBA meeting in Nicaragua, Miami Herald
- ^ Centroamérica aisla política y económicamente a golpistas de Honduras
- ^ "Honduras isolated over Zelaya ouster". Reuters. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ "Honduran police, demonstrators clash as nation holds fragile peace". CNN. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ "2 dead, 60 injured in Honduras anti-coup protests". Xinhua. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Honduran army smothers media after coup". Reuters. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Coup in Honduras: Military Ousts President Manuel Zelaya, Supporters Defy Curfew and Take to the Streets". Democracy Now. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
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(help) - ^ "Ousted Honduran leader to return". BBC News. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ Nuevo canciller de Honduras dice que Insulza entrará pero Zelaya no.
- ^ a b "Seguidores de Mel vuelven a las calles" (in Spanish). Tiempo.HN. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-07-01. Cite error: The named reference "Tiempo-2009-06-29" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "UN backs Honduras leader's return". BBC News. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ a b "U.N. Backs Ousted Honduran Leader". The New York Times. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30. Cite error: The named reference "NYT-UN-06-30-2009" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b "Zelaya faces arrest in Honduras as protests rise". Agence France-Presse. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Honduras' Micheletti joins anti-Zelaya rally in central Tegucigalpa". Xinhua. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Honduran top military chief General Rome". Getty Images. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "World Bank suspends loans to Honduras". Xinhua. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Deadline for Honduras over leader". BBC News. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b "Honduras' Zelaya vows to return". Al Jazeera. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ US puts off decision to cut aid to Honduras until Monday
- ^ "Ousted Honduran President Travels to Panama". Voice of America. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ Venezuelanalysis, 1 July 2009, Venezuela Proposes United Nations Military Action if Diplomacy Fails in Honduras Coup
- ^ "Interim Honduran president to send delegation for talks with OAS". Xinhua. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Insulza: OEA dará ultimátum de 72 horas a Honduras para retornar a Zelaya en el poder" (in Spanish). Radio Mundial - Gobierno Venezuela. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ "OEA no recibirá al "canciller" del gobierno de facto hondureño" (in Spanish). Radio Mundial - Gobierno Venezuela. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ Compromise Is Sought to Honduras Standoff, New York Times
- ^ a b c d "Honduran government's international isolation grows; demonstrators demand return of president". Associated Press. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Congresso restringe cuatro guarantías constitucionales". 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ ""Honduras Targets Protesters With Emergency Decree". 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ ""Fuera Mel" gritan miles de sampedranos". 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ "Rival demonstrations continue in post-coup Honduras". Xinhua. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ "Recuperan el centro". 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ "Capturan a Marcelo Chimirri". 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ "COFADEH: Militares y policías están secuestrando" (in Spanish). Diario El Tiempo - Honduras. 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ "Honduran president says willing to pardon coup leaders". Xinhua. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ Rosenberg, Mica (2009-07-02). "Honduras interim gov't says open to early election". Reuters - Yahoo News. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Video shows Honduran troops shooting protesters' bus tires". CNN.com. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ^ "Movimientos populares hondureños esperan a Insulza a las afueras de la OEA en Tegucigalpa" (in Spanish). Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ a b "El pueblo en las calles" (in Spanish). Diario El Tiempo. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04. Cite error: The named reference "Tiempo-2009-07-03" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Movimentos populares de Honduras se mobilizam pela volta de Zelaya" (in Portuguese). Agência Brasil. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Más de 65 mil hondureños se movilizan a la OEA en demanda del presidente Zelaya" (in Spanish). Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ ""¡Queremos a Mel!", gritaron miles de simpatizantes de Zelaya a la llegada de Insulza" (in Spanish). ABN and YVKE Mundial. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Continúan represiones contra manifestaciones que respaldan a Manuel Zelaya" (in Spanish). Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Por séptimo día prosiguen en Honduras protestas antigolpistas" (in Spanish). Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Comunicado" (in Spanish). Radio Globo Honduras. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Honduran court defiant on Zelaya". BBC News. 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Trece diputados del partido de Micheletti se declaran contra el golpe" (in Spanish). Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Cardenal Rodríguez Maradiaga pide a Zelaya que no regrese para evitar baño de sangre". 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ ""Un regreso al país en este momento podría desatar un baño de sangre"". 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Mel Zelaya ratifica regreso a Honduras el domingo". 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-0704.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Weissert, Will (July 4, 2009). "Exiled Honduran president vows return on Sunday". Associated Press. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
- ^ "Pueblo hondureño está dispuesto a morir por restitución de presidente Zelaya". 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ {cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/world/americas/05honduras.html?ref=global-home |title=Differences Grow Wider Over Coup in Honduras |date=2009-07-04 |accessdate=2009-07-04}}
- ^ "Descubrieron francotiradores en Aeropuerto Internacional de Tegucigalpa". 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Asume nuevo Gabinete de Gobierno de Honduras". 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ "Juramentado casi todo el gabinete". 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Juramentan a Mirna Castro como ministra de Cultura". 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Obama Says Coup in Honduras Would Set a "Terrible Precedent"". ABC News. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "World leaders condemn Zelaya's ouster". France 24. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ a b "EU ambassadors leave Honduras". CBC.ca. 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ New Honduras Leader Faces Backlash From Coup
- ^ "Micheletti, Vowing Zelaya Prosecution, Open to Talks (Update1)". Bloomberg.com. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Template:Http://www.unoamerica.org/unoPAG/noticia.php?id=464
- ^ "Two Hondurans Headed for Clash". Washington Post. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "UN backs Honduras leader's return". BBC News. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "OEA convoca una reunión de urgencia para analizar Golpe de Estado en Honduras". El Mercurio (in Spanish). EFE. June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
- ^ [3]
- ^ "La comunidad internacional pide que se restablezca el orden constitucional" (in Spanish). El Mundo. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ Weissert, Will (July 1, 2009). "Honduras government's isolation grows after coup". Associated Press. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
- ^ Chavez threatens military action over Honduras coup by Frank Jack Daniel and Enrique Andres Pretel, Reuters (reprinted by the National Post), June 28, 2009.
- ^ "STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) ON THE SITUATION IN HONDURAS". CARICOM. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Declaration of the ACS on the situation in Honduras". Association of Caribbean States. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ "Mercosur condena el golpe militar y exige la inmediata restitución de zelaya" (in Spanish). Telecinco. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ "Gobierno chileno condenó Golpe de Estado en Honduras" (in Spanish). El Mercurio Online. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ^ "World Bank 'pauses' loans to Honduras - Zoellick". Reuters. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "IADB says pausing loans to Honduras over coup". Reuters. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ The Winner in Honduras: Chávez by Álvaro Vargas Llosa, The New York Times, June 30 2009
- ^ Llosa, Alvaro Vargas (2009-07-01). "Honduras's Coup Is President Zelaya's Fault". The Washington Post.
- ^ Lemos, Charles (2009-7-03). "The Threat of Continuismo". MyDD Direct Democracy.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help); Missing or empty|url=
(help) - ^ Honduran Coup Tests Waning US Clout in Latin America by Howard LaFranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, June 29, 2009.
- ^ Honduran Coup Leader a Two-Time SOA Graduate by Linda Cooper and James Hodge, National Catholic Reporter, June 29, 2009.
External links
- Honduran Constitution (in Spanish)
Images
- Honduran Military Launches Coup, Washington Post
- Honduras Coup Photos from Daylife
- Military Coup In Honduras slideshow by CBS News
- In Pictures: Honduran President Ousted by BBC News
- Honduras: Protests Against Presidential Coup slideshow by The Huffington Post
Analysis
- In a Coup in Honduras, Ghosts of Past U.S. Policies by Helene Cooper, The New York Times, June 29 2009
- What’s Behind the Honduras Coup? Tracing Zelaya’s Trajectory interview with Nikolas Kozloff, Democracy Now