The situation in Honduras is very volatile tonight, more so than it has been over the past couple weeks. That’s because today ousted President Manuel Zelaya briefly crossed the border into Honduras from Nicaragua. He walked up to the “Welcome to Honduras” sign, and walked right back across to Nicaragua as a symbolic gesture. He has been in exile for almost a month after a military coup ousted him from his position as president. The interim government had said that it will arrest him if he sets foot in Honduras, but that didn’t stop the ex-President today.
While other countries are doing their best to solve the issue and restore democracy without incorporating violence, it seems Zelaya isn’t going to sit back and wait until then. Leading up to today’s provocative move which the United States characterized as reckless, hundreds of his supporters had assembled in the area, when suddenly the military announced an 18 hour curfew around the border areas. In protest, the congregation of supporters began throwing rocks, bottles and just about anything that they could find at the military, who responded with tear gas.
Two people were wounded by gunfire from the military according to international press reports. Along with other OAS member countries, Belize has issued an official statement in support of Zelaya.
