Obviously the first thing I did upon waking up was run to my computer to read up on the crisis in Honduras.
Both groups for and against Zelaya's return have been filling the streets during the previous days. Both sides have presented arguments in their favor (here's another article on the legality of Zelaya's actions, by the way), both claims that I think have validity. The civil and legal gridlock is reminiscent of social conflicts that have plagued Latin America for decades. International community is clamoring for a return of the old government - something that I think is inevitable - though at the present moment we find ourselves in a calm before the storm.
It has reported that the new President Roberto Micheletti is "willing to talk" (Bloomberg) and that "political actors close to the new government" and some members of the Honduran congress are in negotiations for a resolution to the crisis; including Zelaya's return (New York Times). Micheletti has also welcomed yesterday a commission from the Organization of American States (El Tiempo). Despite this, Micheletti has proceeded with the nomination of a number of cabinet posts (Univision). (Too bad these folks are not going to receive their first paycheck.) Mixed signals indeed. It could be that negotiations are taking place with various distinct branches of the Honduran government.
It is now learned that Manuel Zelaya's home was fired on upon his ousting, a detail which makes his arrest seem a lot less legitimate and lawful as some try to insinuate (Workers World). The new government has also attempted to come out stating that there existed a legitimate order for Zelaya's expulsion that was released hours before his arrest, though documentation provided is dated after his ousting. Apparently, only an order to acquire evidence existed (Honduras en el Mundo, El Tiempo).
The Honduran Congress has also passed an emergency law curtailing a number of basic freedoms (NarcoNews, Inside Costa Rica, El Pais), though other sources state that such limitations are to be uphold only during the night time curfue (Reuters, Hondudiario). Micheletti himself has come out to say that these restrictions are only temporary and effective during the night time curfew (El Tiempo). I have also read that the restrictions are not applicable to members of the press, something that conflicts with reports that the new government was shutting down on press. Quite possibly it's only the international press that's being butted out. I must point out that it's ironic how they feared a alterations to the constitution only for they themselves to limit certain articles of the constitution.
Though at first the new government had only exiled Zelaya, now they are calling for his arrest and extradition. The government has even suggested his arrest in Panama, where Zelaya was as of yesterday afternoon (El Tiempo). The new government has also begun investigating a number of Zelaya's ministers under charges of possession of firearms and of electoral materials (El Tiempo).
The U.S. has decided to hold off its economic sanctions until Monday (AFP) and one community leader reports that there are military battalions that are "refusing to repress the population" (Americas Policy Program). A number of prominent lawyers and judges have also filed suite against the government, stating that the Honduran Constitution strictly prohibits forced exile (Radio Cadena Agramonte) and the Honduras Catholic Church has spoken against the coup (El Tiempo). On the other hand, Honduras' Ambassadors to the U.S. and European Union have come out to acknowledge Micheletti as the legitimate President (El Tiempo, 2). Boy,is he going to be fried when his boss gets back. Zelaya from Panama has "fired" his U.S. and Brussels Ambassadors (El Tiempo) |
