Conservative Wins in Testy Honduran Election

Regime curtails freedoms as Zelaya remains holed up

(NEWSER) - The interim government in Honduras moved to prevent protests late last night, outlawing public assemblies and giving the army broad new arrest powers. Manuel Zelaya, who has been holed up for a week in Tegucigalpa's Brazilian embassy alongside about 65 family members, has called on his supporters to take to the streets today. The de facto regime also expelled international mediators and called on Brazil to kick Zelaya out, but President Lula said he wouldn't respond to "an ultimatum from a government of coup-mongers." More»

Ousted president and 70 others trapped inside Brazilian embassy

(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. More»

Ousted leader announces return on TV, but interim government denies it

(NEWSER) - Manuel Zelaya is back in Honduras, the ousted president told a Honduran TV station today, prompting thousands of his supporters to gather outside the UN building in the capital to celebrate. “I am here for the restoration of democracy, to call for dialogue,” Zelaya declared. The US State Department confirmed Zelaya’s return, though the country’s current de facto ruler denied it. More»

Ousted prez takes action after negotiations fall apart

(AP) - Ousted President Manuel Zelaya took a symbolic step into his homeland today, vowing to reclaim his post a month after soldiers flew him into exile. But he stayed less than 30 minutes before returning to Nicaragua, saying the risk of bloodshed was too great. He said he would give talks with the coup-installed government another try. "I am not afraid but I'm not crazy either," Zelaya told the Venezuela-based television network Telesur. More»

(NEWSER) - Manuel Zelaya intends to cross from Nicaragua into Honduras today or tomorrow, a move that could land him in prison or worse, the Miami Herald reports. Honduras has stepped up its border security, with interim president Roberto Micheletti promising that the deposed leader will be arrested on sight and charged with treason and abuse of power. Aides say Zelaya will come by land, surrounded by supporters. More»