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Honduras Barricades Zelaya, Cuts Off Water, Electricity

Ousted president and 70 others trapped inside Brazilian embassy

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 23, 2009 7:05 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Security forces in Honduras barricaded ousted president Manuel Zelaya inside the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa overnight, cutting off water, electricity, and telephone service to the building. Zelaya and about 70 other people are enduring a de facto siege, reports the Guardian; troops are stationed on nearby rooftops, speakers are blasting high-pitched noise at the building, and soldiers have set up a three-mile perimeter after yesterday's violent scenes that left about 20 people injured.

Zelaya sneaked into the country on Monday and addressed supporters from the embassy balcony, but violence broke out after authorities tried to disperse the crowd and impose a curfew. Inside the building are Zelaya relatives and aides, journalists, and a few Brazilian diplomats. They have a diesel-powered generator and cell phones are still working. In Brazil, President Lula said that his country would honor Zelaya's "international right" to refuge, adding, "We do not expect the coup leaders to touch the Brazilian embassy. We expect them to negotiate."

Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya rest in the Brazil's embassy in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept 22, 2009.
Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya rest in the Brazil's embassy in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya speaks on a cell phone at the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.
Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya speaks on a cell phone at the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Police fired tear gas at thousands of demonstrators Tuesday morning, chasing them away from the Brazilian embassy where their deposed president who sneaked back into the country remains holed up.
Police fired tear gas at thousands of demonstrators Tuesday morning, chasing them away from the Brazilian embassy where their deposed president who sneaked back into the country remains holed up.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Soldiers take cover during clashes with supporters of Honduras's ousted President Manuel Zelaya in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.
Soldiers take cover during clashes with supporters of Honduras's ousted President Manuel Zelaya in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Baton-wielding soldiers used tear gas and water cannons to chase away thousands who demonstrated outside the Brazilian Embassy on Tuesday.
Baton-wielding soldiers used tear gas and water cannons to chase away thousands who demonstrated outside the Brazilian Embassy on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya rest inside of the Brazil embassy in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept 22, 2009.
Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya rest inside of the Brazil embassy in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Sept 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
lindamae
Sep 24, 2009 9:02 AM CDT
I am thoroughly ashamed of Obama and Clinton for their role in this fiasco. It proves their love for socialist governments and their hatred of democracies. Including ours.
DontLikeYou___
Sep 23, 2009 12:59 PM CDT
Zelaya is like a cockroach. He is also a typical leftist who will go to any length to achieve power, even to sneak into the country which banished him. Obama should be ashamed for supporting this dictator wannabe. I pray for the people and government of Honduras.
EddyTeach
Sep 23, 2009 12:41 PM CDT
Honduras should take a lesson from Iran. If Zelaya simply held a fake election to stay in power and then killed or imprisoned any dissent from the public, the US would be ignoring the whole thing.

 
Latin America • Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva • Honduras • coup d'etat • Manuel Zelaya • Honduran army

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