POLITICAL CONTROVERSY IN HONDURAS

Sunday June 28th President Zelaya was taken from the Presidential Palace by the Military and then transported to Costa Rica by air. The Congress later named Roberto Michiletti as interim President. President Michiletti has vowed that the Presidential elections in November will continue as scheduled. As Head of Congress Michiletti was next in line as President in accordance with the Honduran Constitution.

Zelaya's insistence on a referendum vote which had been ruled as illegal and a violation of the Constitution by both the Honduran Supreme Court and the Congress led to removing him from office. The referendum vote was reputed to be Zelaya's attempt to make changes to the Honduran Constitution in order to stay in power beyond his 4 year term.

Zeleya's association with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has created distrust in the majority of Hondurans as to his motives and fear that Democracy was in danger by Chavez style Socialism. Using the Military to remove Zelaya from power unfortunately has created sympathy by the international community however 70% of Hondurans do not support Zelaya.

Although some countries have issued travel alerts for Honduras tourists continue to arrive to Utila without problems or incident.