President Zelaya removed in coup

On the 28th June 2009 Honduran troops arrested leftist President Manuel Zelaya an hour before a vote on a national plebiscite that would have allowed him to seek a new term in office. More than a dozen soldiers disarmed Zelaya's security guards and arrested the president at his residence early on 28 June. Zelaya was then taken to an air force base on the outskirts of Teguicigalpa, from where he was flown to Costa Rica. Following the coup, Congress appointed Speaker of the Congress Roberto Micheletti as interim president of Honduras. Micheletti immediately announced that a curfew will be enforced between 2100 and 0600 local time for at least 48 hours. The new government also interrupted the electric supply to Tegucigalpa, as well as radio and television broadcasts. Only official communications from the Supreme Court, Supreme Electoral Tribunal and Congress are being distributed. Military aircraft and helicopters continue to conduct overflights of Tegucigalpa, while soldiers remain deployed in the streets. Several protests have occurred in response to the coup; however, they have been limited to a few hundred Zelaya supporters who have gathered in front of the presidential palace and the congressional building. Several media sources reported hearing shots fired in the areas near the presidential palace on 29 June; however, the reports have not yet been confirmed. The political crisis began after Zelaya fired the chief of the armed forces on 24 June for refusing to cooperate with his efforts to organise the plebiscite, which was intended to alter the constitutional rule banning presidents from serving more than one four-year term. The chief of staff refused after the Supreme Court ruled the plebiscite illegal. Many members of Zelaya's own party opposed the referendum, and on 25 June Congress approved plans to investigate whether Zelaya was fit to rule in an effort to avoid a coup or a breach of constitutional rule. Zelaya continued to organise and promote the plebiscite until his removal from office on 28 June. Travelers should stay abreast of local developments and should avoid all large gatherings and demonstrations as a precaution. Protests may cause travel delays or interrupt access to Toncontin International Airport. Travellers and expatriates should plan alternate routes and allow for additional travel time.