Rumors of Coup d'etat in Honduras denied by officials

Photos

zelaya and castro

see larger image

uploaded by utilaeastwind

• 

  uploaded by utilaeastwind | add comment

• 

  uploaded by utilaeastwind | add comment

The streets of the Capital were quiet last night with normally bustling restaurants and bars near empty, for fear of a Military Coup.

Across the country rumors spread of an impending Coup d'Etat in Honduras and that people should remain in their homes after midnight tonight for speculation that the President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, a fierce ally of Cuba and Hugo Chavez, will be removed by the Honduran Military.

Lt. Col. Ramiro Archaga, spokesman of the Armed Forces of Honduras, denied on Friday rumors of an alleged coup that would be implemented in the coming hours.

"We have a very clear respect to the constitution. The Honduran people must be assured that it's armed forces are not thinking about situations like this," he said on radio.

This morning the chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces, General Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, had a meeting with commanders, and “all gave a long applause, which denotes the support of the chief commanders of the Joint Chiefs, “

Colonel Archaga confessed their concern that these rumors are running in the political and business circles of Honduras. "We appeal to people who are in charge of running these rumors that you are doing great damage to the country because they are causing states of hysteria in Honduran society."

When asked about the location of the highest authorities of the Armed Forces, Colonel Archaga in Tegucigalpa did not specify. But, so far they have not given any statement to the media.

Archaga reiterated that the Armed Forces are "an apolitical, obedient and not deliberating."

La Prensa

Manuel Zelaya issued an order for the Military to support a proposed referendum on replacing the Honduran Constitution. This proposed Referendum was already deemed illegal by the Courts but a new proposal was issued last week. The Military has its loyalties to the President, but their true mandate is to defend the Constitution and it is unclear how the Top Brass will resolve the conflict that has been placed upon them.

Utila Eastwind will be monitoring the situation and posting updates, as available.