Military Coup in Honduras

Soldiers Oust and Exile Honduran President

On the morning of June 28, 2009, democratically elected president Manuel Zelaya of Honduras was ousted by a military coup. One hundred and fifty soldiers stormed the president's home on Sunday in Tegucigalpa, arrested him and forced him into exile in Costa Rica. Zelaya was still in his pajamas when he was arrested.

The majority of Congress voted to accept what they claim is Zelaya's letter of resignation, but Zelaya said he signed no such letter. Later, Congress, along with many of Zelaya's former allies, voted unanimously to remove Zelaya from office.

The first military takeover in Central America in 16 years was condemned by governments in Latin America, the U.S. and around the world. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez vowed to overthrow the country's apparent new leader.

"We thought that the long night of military dictatorships in Central America was over," said Costa Rican president Oscar Arias.

Background on Honduras' Military Coup

Since Zelaya's presidency began, Hondureans have been divided politically and ideologically. Although many praise Zelaya for his economic policies and social programs, others have criticized his friendship with Hugo Chavez and for adhering Honduras to the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA).

Furthermore, his presidency has been marked by increased violence, corruption and attempts to control the media. During his first year in office, some of his ministers resigned due to corruption. Some members of Zelaya's own party even began to criticize him.

Zeyala caused yet caused another uproar when in early 2009, he called for a national referendum that called for rewriting the constitution. The coup began just hours before the referendum was to take place. There was strong opposition to it, which opponents claimed would allow the president to be re-elected.

Honduras' Supreme Court ruled against Zelaya's referendum, calling it illegal. Congress and the electoral body followed suit. Even the military refused to assume its election role. As a result, General Romeo Vasquez Velasquez was removed by Zelaya, but the Supreme Court ordered him reinstated.

Roberto Micheletti Sworn in as New President of Honduras

After ousting Zelaya, Congressional leader Roberto Micheletti was sworn in to serve the rest of Zelaya's term, which ends on Janurary 27, 2010. Micheletti belongs to Zelaya's party, but opposed the president's call for a referendum.

Despite Congress' claims, Zelaya denies ever resigning and vows to continue his term, even as the Supreme Court backs the military takeover.

Zelaya called on Honduran soldiers to back him, urged citizens to take to the streets in peaceful protests, and asked Honduran police to protect demonstrators. Up to 150 civilians responded by staging a protest outside the Congress building, just as Micheletti was sworn in at a ceremony.

"They kidnapped him like cowards," screamed Melissa Gaitan. Tears streamed down the face of the 21-year-old, who works at the government television station. "We have to rally the people to defend our president."

Micheletti insisted that he did not arrive at his new post "under the aegis of a coup d'etat."

"I have reached the presidency as the result of an absolutely legal transition process," he said.

The military takeover provoked mass condemnation by many governments and protests arose with the way Honduran soldiers treated civilians and foreign ambassadors. The Cuban and Venezuelan governments have both stated that their ambasadors were mistreated during the coup.

President Barack Obama said he was "deeply concerned" and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Zelaya's arrest should be condemned.

"I call on all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter," Obama's statement read on Yahoo News.

Despite U.S. condemnation, there have been allegations that they have been involved with the coup.