Roatan Rioters Burn Books at ZOLITUR

May 7th 2009. A mob of violent protesters took over the streets of Roatan yesterday spreading fear and crippling the tourism industry. 

The demonstrators were organized and turned violent quickly, taking over the ZOLITUR Free Zone office in French Harbour. Once inside, they destroyed everything they could, removing all documents and computers then burning them on the road. 

Shots were fired by Police and protesters and it is reported that at least one protester was injured from gunfire. Hails of stones fell upon police as the protesters refused to retreat and at least  two policemen were injured.

Police had made as many as 40 arrests. However, it has been reported that some protesters were later freed by the rebels who invaded the police station and stole weapons. 

Today the island is calm, but it is said that the leaders of the rioters have given 24 hours for their demands to be met or they will seal off the island from air and sea. Honduran Special Forces are now on Roatan to keep the peace and prevent further damage.

The root of the violence is suspected to be that the ZOLITUR Free Trade Zone will exclude native Hondurans from working on the island without a work permit from ZOLITUR and this would prevent the free movement of Hondurans on The Bay Islands. This is a claim denied by ZOLITUR officials.

Friday May 8th 2009

After negotiations with protesters it has been agreed that a commission will be formed to examine the ZOLITUR issue to the satisfation of all parties and protests would be suspended.

photos by la prensa