Honduras Still In Crises

The crises in Honduras continues to get worse. Ousted-president Manuel Zelaya has returned to the country, and is currently holed up in the Brazilian embassy in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. The embassy has been ringed by Honduran troops, and the water, electricity and telephone were cut off to the embassy. They were later partially restored (whatever that means).

Meanwhile, the capital is under a curfew and there are police roadblocks on most major streets. In spite of opposition from nearly every country in the Americas, the coup-installed illegal government seems determined to retain power -- by force if necessary.

Meanwhile, President Lula of Brazil (pictured) spoke to the United Nations General Assembly. He believes it is time for the United Nations to act in support of Manuel Zelaya. He said, "Without political will, we will see more coups such as the one that toppled Manuel Zelaya in Honduras. The international community demands that Mr. Zelaya immediately return to the presidency of his country and must be alert to ensure the inviolability of Brazil's diplomatic mission in the capital of Honduras."

President Chavez of Venezuela agreed, saying, "The United Nations should demand that Zelaya be reinstated to government again." In a separate action, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced that the U.N. has suspended giving any assistance to Honduras for its November elections. He said the conditions are not right for "credible elections".

I must agree with Presidents Lula and Chavez. The coup-installed government in Honduras must not be allowed to stand. Doing so would allow the economic elite to be emboldened to fund and stage coups in other Central and South American countries, and that cannot be allowed to happen. It would mean the end of democracy in much of the Americas.

The United States has already cut off foreign aid to Honduras. But that is not enough. It is time for the United Nations to act, and act with sufficient boldness to topple the coup and reinstate Zelaya.

If this is not done soon, we may be looking at the beginning of another civil war.