The Two Men Didn't Talk to Each Other in Costa Rica Talks

Honduran president Manuel Zelaya and de facto president Roberto Micheletti both participated in the beginning of a mediation session in Costa Rica today.  The men had separate meetings with Costa Rican president and mediator Oscar Arias where they explained their positions to him.  However, the two Honduran leaders did not sit down to talk face-to-face today.  Rather, they each left delegations empowered to continue talks.

Micheletti Blocks Zelaya Commission Members from Attending

A mediation led by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias begins today between Honduras' democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya and coup president Roberto Micheletti. 

Arias has a tough job ahead of him, as neither Zelaya nor Micheletti seem optimistic that an agreement can be reached.  Zelaya has stated that he will accept nothing less than his return to power, while Micheletti has stated that he would like the mediation to "start from the understanding that Zelaya's return is not open to negotiation." 

They Believe that the Capitalist System is the Origin of Injustice

by Hermann Bellinghausen, La Jornada
translated by Kristin Bricker

Caracol of Morelia, Chiapas, June 22.  In bringing to a close the American Meeting Against Impunity on Sunday night, the Zapatista Good Government Council (JBG in its Spanish initials) from the Tzotz Choj region argued that Plan Merida [also known as the Merida Initiative or Plan Mexico] isn't against organized crime, but rather an instrument to "jail, torture, and disappear" those who fight for their rights.

Micheletti Backed Down from Previous Statements that Zelaya's Return is "Not Negotiable"

All eyes were on Washington on Tuesday as dueling Honduran commissions vied for the international community's support.  On one side, ousted President Manuel Zelaya  met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  On the other side, Honduran businessmen and politicians who support the coup government--but did not "officially" represent it--attempted to "clean up Honduras' image at the international level." They got nowhere.

Both Zelaya and coup-imposed President Roberto Micheletti have agreed to mediations led by Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez.  The mediation will begin on Thursday in President Arias' house in Costa Rica.  Zelaya will arrive in Costa Rica on Wednesday night, and Micheletti is scheduled to arrive on Thursday morning.  One crucial sticking point is on the table: Zelaya's return to power--something that prior to now was "not negotiable" according to Micheletti.

The Teachers Union Won't Return to Classes Until Zelaya is Back in Office; Street Protests Continue

With the death of 19-year-old Obed Murillo allegedly at the hands of Honduran security forces at Tegucigalpa airport yesterday while President Manuel Zelaya was attempting to land there, the coup government demonstrated its willingness to resort to lethal force to maintain its power. 

Likewise, the Honduran people have demonstrated their resolve to oppose the coup government, no matter the cost.  On Monday, just one day after Honduran security forces opened fire on an unarmed crowd of Zelaya supporters at the airport, resulting in one death and a still-unknown number of injuries, thousands of Zelaya supporters took to the streets for the ninth straight day, with protests reported in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and El Progreso. 

Meanwhile, Radio America reports that schools across the country remain shuttered on Monday as part of a national strike called by the Federation of Teachers Organizations of Honduras (FOMH, the Honduran teachers union).  The strike continues despite pressures from the coup government to resume classes.  The Micheletti regime's Ministry of Education spent the weekend ordering teachers back to classes.  Teachers and their families called into Radio Progreso over the weekend decrying strong pressures from the Micheletti government to return to classes.

Military Blockades Attempt to Block Zelaya Supporters from Reaching Tegucigalpa and the Airport

Yesterday President Manuel Zelaya issued a call to the people of Honduras: "Accompany me on my return to Honduras."

Honduran civil society has responded to this call.  People from all over Honduras are heading to Tegucigalpa to receive Zelaya when his plane lands at Toncontin Airport in the capital. 

Despite Repression and the Suspension of Constitutional Guarantees, Hondurans Keep Fighting the Coup Government

The anti-coup movement's momentum appears to be building across Honduras, with protests reported across the country.  Meanwhile, international pressure builds against the coup government.

Over the past two days, anti-coup protests were reported in Tocoa, Colon; San Pedro Sula; La Ceiba; El Progreso, Yoro; Tegucigapla; Intibuca; El Paraiso; Santa Barbara; and all over President Zelaya's native department of Olancho.  Moreover, the BBC reports that citizens have blocked major highways in Copan and Tocoa.  The BBC's sources on the ground in Honduras say anti-coup protests have occurred in the majority of Honduras' departments.

Latin American Presidents, OAS Secretary General, and Citizen Caravans Will Accompany Him

Ousted Honduran President Manual Zelaya has announced that he will return to Honduras on Thursday.  "I'm going to finish my four-year term, whether or not you coup leaders are in agreement," he stated. 

Zelaya will return to Honduras accompanied by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, and a commission of Latin American presidents.  The Argentine government has announced that its President Cristina Fernandez will accompany Zelaya to Honduras as part of the presidential commission.  In a press conference following his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Zelaya stated that Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa will also accompany him.

Border Closings, Suspension of Aid, and Cutting of Diplomatic Relations Present a Non-Violent Response to a Violent Coup

Mexico and the countries of Central America have announced various political and economic sanctions against the coup government in Honduras as part of a non-violent and non-military strategy to return democratically elected President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya to power.

Member countries of the Central American Regional Integration adopted a resolution earlier today that requires taking "necessary measures in a staggered manner, including measures related to interregional commerce, against Honduras' de facto government until President Jose Manuel Zelaya is reinstated as president and institutional normalcy is reestablished."  In the first direct action against the coup government, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala will close their borders with Honduras for 48 hours.  The border closing means that all cross-border commerce will be shut down for 48 hours.

Foreign TV Channels Blocked, Violence Outside Presidential Palace

Honduras' Radio Globo reports that today Honduras' coup president Roberto Micheletti entered the Presidential Palace from which Honduras' legitimate President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya was kidnapped early yesterday morning.  Micheletti will hold a press conference from the President's office later today.