The anti-coup resistance in HONDURAS has reached the 48th consecutive day

By Prensa Latina [Havana] Published 14 AUG 2009

Credit: Prensa Latina Tegucigalpa, 14 AUG (PL) Today the popular resistance against June 28 military coup in Honduras reached its 48th consecutive day, and its leaders assure the resistance will continue until the return of constitutional order. Yesterday, Juan Barahona, general coordinator of the Frente Nacional contra el Golpe de Estado, stated in a speech, "We will continue our peaceful struggle, because our force is moral, it is our resolve." The President of the Federación Unitaria de Trabajadores called for a gathering this Friday in front of the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, occupied by the military two days ago, and until then, the usual site of meetings by the Resistance. Yesterday, thousands of people returned to the streets, amidst a climate of tension caused by a vast operation by the armed forces in the capital and the city of San Pedro Sula, 250 km to the north. The march by the Frente [the Resistance] was constantly watched by a large contingent of Cobras, special anti-riot corps, backed up by dozens of soldiers with firearms. However, members of the Discipline Committee did their utmost to prevent incidents with the troops that were guarding private businesses located along the route of the march, Prensa Latina stated. The main aim of the demonstration was to present charges of human rights' violations to the Public Prosecutor's Office, located in an exclusive neighborhood, Lomas del Guijarro, where soldiers were also deployed. The human rights' prosecutor, Sandra Ponce, received the charges of abuses and tortures suffered by those arrested and promised to take action on the matter. She confirmed that 27 people are still being held and are being charged with sedition, rebellion and even terrorism; all these charges are denied by the members of the Frente de Abogados contra el Golpe [a lawyers' organization against the coup d'état). A judicial hearing took place yesterday in the police station when they are jailed, and last night there were still no reports about the results of the hearing. Meanwhile, yesterday, the Comité de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas charged that three of its members disappeared after being seen when they were arrested and identified the missing as Ramón García, Marlon René Calix y Julián Martínez.