Coup In Honduras: Army Expels President

Military Detains Zelaya In Dawn Raid, Apparently To Prevent Constitutional Referendum; Venezuela's Chaves Threatens Invasion

(CBS/AP)  Updated 2:26 a.m. ET

Honduras is now torn between two presidents: one legally recognized by world bodies after he was deposed and forced from the country by his own soldiers, and another supported by the Central American nation's congress, courts and military.

Presidents from around Latin America were gathering in Nicaragua for meetings Monday to resolve the first military overthrow of a Central American government in 16 years, and once again Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took center stage, casting the dispute as a rebellion by the region's poor.

"If the oligarchies break the rules of the game as they have done, the people have the right to resistance and combat, and we are with them," Chavez said in the Nicaraguan capital, Managua.

There is a deep rift between the outside world — which is clamoring for the return of democratically elected, but largely unpopular and soon-to-leave-office President Manuel Zelaya — and congressionally designated successor Roberto Micheletti.

Micheletti rejected any outside interference and declared a two-night curfew, while Chavez vowed that "we will overthrow (Micheletti)."

Zelaya was seized by soldiers and hustled aboard a plane to Costa Rica early Sunday, just hours before a rogue referendum Zelaya had called in defiance of the courts and Congress, and which his opponents said was an attempt to remain in power after his term ends Jan. 27.

The Honduran constitution limits presidents to a single 4-year term, and Zelaya's opponents feared he would use the referendum results to try to run again, just as Chavez reformed his country's constitution to be able to seek re-election repeatedly.

Micheletti said the army acted on orders from the courts, and the ouster was carried out "to defend respect for the law and the principles of democracy." But he threatened to jail Zelaya and put him on trial if he returned. Micheletti also hit back at Chavez, saying "nobody, not Barack Obama and much less Hugo Chavez, has any right to threaten this country."

CBS News producer Portia Siegelbaum in Havana reports that Zelaya's foreign minister, Patricia Rodas, was also kidnapped by uniformed soldiers wearing black hoods and taken to an air base near Tegucigalpa.

A plane carrying Rodas left Honduras late Sunday night for Mexico, where she was to be met by Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

The announcement was made by Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega, who said the information came from the Nicaraguan Embassy in Mexico. Ortega is chairing the meeting of Latin American presidents in Managua in support of Zelaya, who is also attending.

Earlier, Obama said in a statement he was "deeply concerned" about the events, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Zelaya's arrest should be condemned.

"I call on all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter," Obama's statement read.

For those conditions to be met, Zelaya must be returned to power, U.S. officials said.

Two senior Obama administration officials told reporters that U.S. diplomats were working to ensure Zelaya's safe return.

The officials said the Obama administration in recent days had warned Honduran power players, including the armed forces, that the U.S. would not support a coup, but Honduran military leaders stopped taking their calls.

Zelaya said soldiers seized him in his pajamas at gunpoint in what he called a "coup" and a "kidnapping." The United Nations, the Organization of American States and governments throughout Latin America called for Zelaya to be allowed to resume office.

"I want to return to my country. I am president of Honduras," Zelaya said Sunday before traveling to Managua on one of Chavez's planes for regional meetings of Central American leaders and Chavez's leftist alliance of nations, known as ALBA.

Zelaya's call for civil disobedience and peaceful resistance appeared to gain only modest support in Honduras, where a few hundred people turned out at government buildings to jeer soldiers and chant "Traitors!"

Some of Zelaya's Cabinet members were detained by soldiers or police following his ouster, according to former government official Armando Sarmiento. And the rights group Freedom of Expression said leftist legislator Cesar Ham had died in a shootout with soldiers trying to detain him.

A Honduran Security Department spokesman said he had no information on Ham.

Armored military vehicles with machine guns rolled through the streets of the Honduran capital and soldiers seized the national palace, but no other incidents of violence were reported.

Sunday afternoon, Congress voted to accept what it said was Zelaya's letter of resignation, with even the president's former allies turning against him. Micheletti, who as leader of Congress is in line to fill any vacancy in the presidency, was sworn in to serve until Zelaya's term ends.

Micheletti belongs to Zelaya's Liberal Party, but opposed the president in the referendum.

Micheletti acknowledged that he had not spoken to any Latin American heads of state, but said, "I'm sure that 80 to 90 percent of the Honduran population is happy with what happened today."

The Organization of American States approved a resolution Sunday demanding "the immediate, safe and unconditional return of the constitutional president, Manuel Zelaya."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the coup and "urges the reinstatement of the democratically elected representatives of the country," said his spokeswoman, Michele Montas.

The Rio Group, which comprises 23 nations from the hemisphere, issued a statement condemning "the coup d'etat" and calling for Zelaya's "immediate and unconditional restoration to his duties."

And Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou canceled a planned visit to Honduras, one of just 23 countries that still recognize the self-governing island.

Coups were common in Central America for four decades reaching back to the 1950s, but Sunday's ouster was the first military power grab in Latin America since a brief, failed 2002 coup against Chavez. It was the first in Central America since military officials forced President Jorge Serrano of Guatemala to step down in 1993 after he tried to dissolve Congress and suspend the constitution.

[pepperwood2]

Coup In Honduras: Army Expels President - Military Detains Zelaya In Dawn Raid, Apparently To Prevent Constitutional Referendum; Venezuela's Chaves Threatens Invasion.

As BO would say the People have the right to Express Themselves. Just because Chavez gave him a book to read about trashing America doesn't give him the right to side with Chavez. He wasn't so bold during the Iran elections. What's with this BOZO?

[andylance1]

We treat our friends in Latin America like Colombia like dirt and treat Chavez and his axis of evo like they are leftist saints and martyrs.

What is wrong with this picture? Is Sec. Clinton wearing her Che Guevara blouse this morning?

[DaBroiler]

Hillary's got some good company here ....

"But Honduras is not out of the Venezuelan woods yet. Yesterday the Central American country was being pressured to restore the authoritarian Mr. Zelaya by the likes of Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega, Hillary Clinton and, of course, Hugo Chavez himself."

[jackp32]

This is the way to handle corrupt politicians. Hooray for Honduras.

[anti-global2]

Well now we know what Sanford was really doing in S. america.

[demongirl60]

THAT'S what they need in Iran.... **sheesh**

[Ceres6]

When Hugo Chavez says play dead, the incompetent and corrupt expresident of Manuel Zelaya plays dead, and when Chavez demands a display of affection, Mr. Zelaya salivates and jumps. Yesterday, Mr. Chavez said to the media that Obama promised him that he was not going to interfere in the Venezuelan affairs. I don't know if that is true, but if it is, I hope Mr. Obama did not did make the promise tearfully.

I admire Mr. Obama, but I hope he is wise to protect the interests of the people that elected him. In Youtube anyone can see several speeches given by Mr. Chavez barely a year ago, in which several times he screamed that American people were excrement.

American people should be made aware that Mr. Chavez is not just an inoffensive clown. Give him an inch, and he will stab you in the back. He has a demented hatred against the United States. It is not just hate against former president Bush, it is hate for everything sacred to the American people.

[benjiboy#1]

Hugo Chavez is a MAN who looks out for the oppressed & they are oppressed by Bastard Companies located in the USA.
You'd have to be a real dumb ass not to know that the USA is responsible for 90% of world depravation, the other 10 is Israel.
Didn't take the USA long to Invade Kuait, when Saddam went in there, a set up by the USA again! Ousting the presisent of Haiti, was it 2 or 3 times.
Yes any leader who does not give in to the GREEDY AMERICAN MULTI-NATIONALS, is going to be labeled a Commie, Leftist, Socialist, by individuals that are either part of the scheem, or, fooled by them & their corrupted syatem.

[jwesel1]

Isn't the Michael Bloomberg trying to have a referendum to extend the two term limit for the NYC mayor?

[tautomer]

Now we understand more clearly Obama's display of affection for Hugo Chavez. Zelaya was a Chavez puppet with a kindred affection for Socialist Dictatorship. Obama seemingly has a similar affection based on his actions to date. This is why the Obama Administration is failing to support Honduras' new anti-Communist regime.

Obama had dream of a grand Socialist Alliance in the Western Hemisphere. Now if only Venezuela's anti-Communists will take a cue from Honduras and overthrow Hugo Chavez, Obama's plan will be in trouble.

[Ceres6]

No one has to be a genious to know that Mr. Manuel Zelaya, an undisputed puppet of Hugo Chavez, had the intention of becoming one more little dictator in Latinamerica. He was obsessed about changing the Honduran constitution, to open the way for his infinite reelection, supported by the Caribbean Idi Amin of Mr. Chavez. He was told by the Honduran Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Military Forces not to mess up with the constituion, and he just went ahead, ignoring all of them. Although the removal of an elected president is a serious business, we don't have to cry for Mr. Zelaya, who is an incompetent and corrupt politician.

[jschmidt27]

Obama said the CIA had nothing to do with it. Are his supporters doubting his truthfulness? Which side does Obama come down on? And what will he do if Chavez decides to invade as he has threatened? Will he stand by while Honduras is invaded and their Democratically elected Congress and Supreme Court are tossed out in favor of his leftist buddy? The ex President was carrying on an illegal referendum against the wishes of the Honduran Congress, Supreme Court and the Constitution. Sounds like he needed to go. But will Obama support the Democratically elected govt of Honduras or this dictator wannabe? It will say a lot about Obama's committment to our friends.

[FelixRamonLopez-Inigo]

correction on my statement above:after the ones that economically have everything,insert" thhose that live through a daily balancing act and those that do not have enough,period."; one versus the other......

[John_Merritt]

If I did not know better, it sounds as though I may be reading blogs from a group of anarchists. You guys do know that it is a felony to incite ot attempt to incite others to perform illegal acts against the government or other agency within. It is called conspiracy. You guys really need to be careful. I wish you the best in what ever you plan to do. Whatever it is however, don't you dare turn the people of America against each other.

[John_Merritt]

Additionally, it is a federal offense. Which usually implies there is a double (2x) penalty associated with it. So you are probably looking at 10-20 years. Can you see Guantanamo Bay 3x real fast?

[thusspokezara]

President Obama will you sit this one too and simply "bear witness" and "wait and see how things play themselves out?" I doubt it. The leftist dogs that rule in your administration won't let you.

[didserve]

This kind of thing is going to happen in America if the People are not listened to...

[brianbwb-2009]

what people, do you mean that 24% of obsolete neos who wish they still had any value, or significance?

Dream on, your time has passed.

[Strukovv]

If he was a conservative, Obama would be cheering the coup. It would not be suprising if the Democrats tried to eliminate the two term limit in the US to keep the corrupt Obama administration in power.

[vistavermin1]

That bill was introduced by a Democrat last month..

[romeva]

it is rather shamefull when the liberal use of the words ¨constitutional Referendum¨is used in this article. NOhting of that sort was taken place in Honduras, you guys are not cheking your sources (or reading the news papers) or simply are part of the illegal actions that the Mr. Zelaya was involved in

[vistavermin1]

Overthrow the socialist Marxist President.... STOP Stop Obama will have none of that.. He is talking to Hugo and they will reinstate the President.. As for you poor people in Iran, Obama says go f00k yourself.


Don't buy GM.. Stop Obama..

[brianbwb-2009]

Which is the only real option, we are not the bosses of Iran, or any other country. That you 24%-ers still presume to judge others when you are even more corrupt than those you condemn, is actually funny.

You don't even have any real reason to hate Hugo Chavez, he has done nothing to you, but then again you never needed a real reason to hate anyone, it is ingrained in your nature.

[CPelzar]

A Military removing a leftist and the congress and supreme court supporting it. I wish this was the US.

[ToolMangler1]

Now "THIS" is how to handle disputed elections and referendums. Peacefully and completely. No one dies but the country is preserved as tha "people" want it...
"Way to go, Honduras!!! (for now)