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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Confusion over Zelaya exile |
| 2009-12-10 |
| There are reports that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is about to leave for exile in Mexico but it is unclear if and when he will go. Sources close to Mr Zelaya indicated he would leave Brazil's embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa, where he has been holed up, and fly to Mexico. But Mr Zelaya told Telesur he would not leave as an asylum seeker. Porfirio Lobo won presidential polls late last month and Congress voted not to allow Mr Zelaya to serve out his last two months of office. Sources close to Mr Zelaya said he wanted to leave the country but it was not confirmed whether he would be allowed safe passage. However, the AFP news agency quoted the head of the Honduran Civil Aviation Authority as saying a Mexican plane was en route to pick up Mr Zelaya. The Associated Press news agency quoted a Honduran foreign ministry spokesman as saying a safe-conduct pass had been signed. Mr Zelaya told Telesur he would not leave the country as an asylum seeker and he insisted he was still the president. But he later told Radio Globo he was negotiating a "consensual solution". And he told Honduran television he was waiting to see whether the "de facto regime" would confirm that he had safe passage to leave. Mr Zelaya returned to Honduras from exile on 21 September and has been staying at the Brazilian embassy to avoid arrest. Conditions inside the embassy are reported to be uncomfortable and the building is surrounded by soldiers and armed police. After his victory, Mr Lobo pledged to form a unity government and seek dialogue. He also urged the international community to "understand the Honduran reality and stop punishing the country". But Mr Zelaya has described the presidential elections as "electoral fraud". Several Latin American nations, including Brazil, refused to recognise the elections. |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #9 But Mr Zelaya told Telesur he would not leave as an asylum seeker. How about "Fleeing for his life before a murderous Crowd?" That OK? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2009-12-10 22:05 |
| #8 I dunno, Mel. The Mexicans don't really treat Honduran immigrants all that well, I understand. Unless they have, oh, say 40 mil stashed somewhere... |
| Posted by: mojo 2009-12-10 13:25 |
| #7 So shouldn't we count Canada, what with their Quebecois? |
| Posted by: Mitch H. 2009-12-10 12:50 |
| #6 they speak Latin? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-12-10 10:00 |
| #5 What is the definition of "Latin America", anyways? Is it "Hispanic-speaking", or "Central and South America, including the Carribean"? Because Brazil isn't Central America, nor is it Spanish-speaking. Why does Brazil's opinion on Honduras matter more than, oh, I don't know, Australia's? |
| Posted by: Mitch H. 2009-12-10 09:48 |
| #4 P2K has it: if Brazil were truly serious about this and not just posing, they'd break relations (which is what not recognizing the government means, after all), pack their bags and leave. They could take Mel with them. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2009-12-10 09:43 |
| #3 PIMF |
| Posted by: ed 2009-12-10 09:22 |
| #2 Several Latin American nations, including Brazil, refused to recognise the elections. Then close your embassy in Brazil [most likely cut off funding] and tell any staff members to return or accept exile. Then tell Brazil to clear their embassy mission out as well. Make life interesting. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-12-10 09:21 |
| #1 Tar, feathers, nearest rail out of town Toyota pickup truck bed. Unwanted house guest problem solved. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-12-10 06:57 |