President Obama needs to find a way to back out of earlier statements opposing the removal of Honduran President Zelaya. The details of what was originally called a coup make it clear that the President was legally removed from power. That he was unceremoniously tossed into exile while still in his pajamas was unfortunate, but given the nature of his relationships, recent actions, and the overall history of Latin America, exile was probably a wise move, if not justifiable.
Zelaya’s ouster came amidst the President’s efforts to change the Honduran constitution so that he could retain the presidency beyond the current, constitutional term limit. The Honduran Congress and Supreme Court opposed the constitutional changes and did so by following Honduran law.
Zelaya went against the Supreme Court’s ruling and attempted to proceed with his referendum. He led a large group of supporters to ransack a military post and seize the ballots that Chavez had provided for the vote. As a result, the Supreme Court ordered his detention. On Sunday, Honduran troops raided the presidential palace, captured Zelaya, and put him on a plane to Costa Rica. Later that day the Honduran Congress officially replaced Zelaya.
Hondurans were concerned that Zelaya’s referendums were too similar to actions that the Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez used to cement his control. Zelaya has been receiving support and encouragement from Chavez and had moved far left to be more in line with Chavez.
At present, President Obama has allied the U.S. with Venezuelan Chavez, a move that looks worse every hour as new details come out about the Socialist dictator’s interference in Honduran affairs on Zelaya’s behalf.
President Obama called on Honduran officials “To respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic charter.” He went on to say, “Any existing tensions and disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue free from any outside interference.”
The Honduran people did just as President Obama asked, before he asked. Time to recognize the new President of Honduras and move on.
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It’s a coup. It wasn’t legal. You have no idea what you are talking about, and I am sure have never read the Honduran Constitution. The military and elites are trying to use some really ridiculous arguments and you are one of their useful idiots. Here are some inconvenient FACTS that are not reported by the likes of the WSJ and other right-wingers conveniently don’t report:
1. The resignation letter was a forgery. It was pretty obvious the deposed President Zelaya would not have used the language, and the retards HAD THE WRONG DATE ON IT. It was dated June 25, 3 days before the coup.
2. The referendum that he called asked if the voters wanted to include a ballot question on whether or not they wanted to convene a constitutent assembly ON THE PRESIDENTIAL POLL IN NOVEMBER. If they decided to do so, it would have convened AFTER Zelaya’s term was up, so there was no way for the Constitution to be changed for him to be able to be re-elected.
Justify this you coup apologist.
Dear sirs
I am sorry because my english is not so good but I am an honduran person who live in tegucigalpa and only I am only a worker of a company earning an modest salary.
It si not a cup , is a new way to see our democracy Manuel Zelaya had made many crimes in corruption, sell of drugs and weapons. Manuel Zelaya rosales used money from International organizations to hold his acts.
I am sad seeing how all countries had condems our acts when we gave help to International community for his crimes no one help us.
In our constitution we have 8 articles named stone articles and in one of them say that one president cannot be reelecter . Any violating to this 8 is an act where a president must be retired of his charge and reemplaced by his vicepreseident and If vicepresident cannot asume them the president of ou congress asume the charge. And It was what really happened.
I you believe that we had a cup the why we have democratic elections in november 29th of this year and in january 27th we will have a new elected presidents??. Why the candidates who participate in the elections were elected in internal elections for their parties in internal election since last year?? .
Manuel Zelaya Rosales want to change our constitution trying to be in the power in permanet mode. He began to buy sindical leaders , drugs gangters and leader in the left wing sponsered from venezuela for the dictator Hugo Chavez. I ask you why venezuela does not have condems by OAS and UN and honduras having elections in november is condemned as the most criminal country in the world ?. The answer is because UN general secretary is the member of sandinist Nicargua and OAS most of member are part of ALBA a movement led by Hugo Chavez. But the worst had beed that the news , magazines , reporters started to comdenm to acts to fast and they do not see his point also the now that we had reason to do this act.
Please come to Honduras and see all 90% of hondurans against Manuel Zelaya and only a 10% who had had good positions and good salaries ( but now appear in the news using poor clothes) and bad peasant leaders who send the people tho make crimes on the streets. Please talk with our candidates for november , talk with our priest, pastors , peasant , students and you know the true.
God bless honduras