World

Honduran coup general says army "saved democracy"

by 158 | July 9, 2009 at 07:43 pm

115 views | 4 Recommendations | 7 comments

General Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, leader of the joint chiefs of staff, told Reuters it was a difficult decision for him to topple Zelaya on June 28, because the two were friends.

But he said he was following orders from the Supreme Court and Congress, which have accused Zelaya of violating the constitution by trying to lift presidential term limits.

"The outside world sees us as bad guys but inside the country we are the ones who saved democracy. ... The best judge we will have is history," Vasquez Velasquez said in an interview at his office at the joint chiefs headquarters.

"We did it out of duty and for love of country because democracy was at risk," he said.

Honduras has many problems to

be solved and they need to end this

political dispute as soon as possible

so that they can get back to dealing

with serious national problems,

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158

at 19:53 on July 9th, 2009

Talks are going on now in El Salvador

to try to resolve the issues of who should

be president. Zeyala says he must be returned

as president within 24 hours while the present

government says they will agree to anything

except Zeyala being president.

Mortal

at 09:03 on July 10th, 2009

Nice article, although brief!

I think as more comes to light, the world will see the truth. Too often people jump to the quick, easy opinion rather than checking things out. I have to give President Obama some credit here in that he didn't totally throw in with all the others against the alleged "coup". God bless the Honduran people for having courage to do what is right & sticking to it!

158

at 14:21 on July 10th, 2009

I am still following this.it does look like Zeyala violated the constitution by trying to change presidential term limits. And the army followed orders from the supreme court.

xislander

at 11:12 on July 11th, 2009

It's quite interesting to note that, over the last week, opinion has clearly shifted in favor or the new Honduran Government as the vultures from Venezuela appear to be suffering from a lack of ammunition.

158

at 14:34 on July 11th, 2009

True, more is becoming known.

René

at 11:31 on July 11th, 2009

Interesting how many different elected leaders try to hang on to their power, and some succeed. Hopefully the people of Honduras will prevail. Bet they make this general a hero.