U.S. Increases Pressure On Honduras

The AP reports that the U.S. has ratcheted up pressure on Honduras "warning that they will face severe sanctions if ousted President Manuel Zelaya is not restored to power. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called interim President Roberto Micheletti to say there would be serious consequences if his government ignores international mediation for Zelaya's return... The European Union added to the pressure on Monday by announcing it was suspending $93.1 million (65.5 million euros) in aid to Honduras."

Interim President Roberto Micheletti was of the same political party as former President Zelaya and became president only after the Supreme Court of Honduras ordered Zelaya be arrested for pushing an illegal referendum to extend his term in office. Zelaya is a close ally of Hugo Chavez. Micheletti implied that his nation has been betrayed by the United States. "We have received pressure from all sides," Micheletti said in a speech before cheering supporters Monday. "One learns in life that people who seem to be friends are not really friends, but are only interested in what you can do for them or give to them."

"We feel abandoned by several friendly countries," Micheletti said. But "we are going to demonstrate ... that we have the strength to hold out until the last moment." He vowed to stay in power until a scheduled Nov. 29 presidential vote, which the U.S. has suggested it may not recognize.

"We are going to go on with life, we are going to go on with our government, we are going to go on with the next presidential elections on Nov. 29," he said. "They have to respect us." Tweet