Honduras

Honduras military shuts southern border against Zelaya

Article published on the 2009-07-24 Latest update 2009-07-24 14:00 TU

Deposed Honduras president Manuel Zelaya leaving the Nicaraguan capital Managua.
(Photo: Reuters)

Honduras's de facto government has shut its southern border with Nicaragua on Friday hoping to block President Manuel Zelaya's bid to return home.

Zelaya was ousted in a coup a month ago by the country’s military after he tried to call a referendum on amending presidential term-limits.

Zelaya is now in the town of Esteli in Nicaragua, on the border with Honduras. He plans to cross over either Friday or Saturday with a 50-vehicle convoy accompanied by the media and supporters.

Regional powers, including the United States, have backed Zelaya's bid to regain office, but urged him to defer his return for fear of prompting bloodshed.

Zelaya tried to fly in three weeks ago but was his plane was blocked by military units on the airport runway of the capital Tegucigalpa.

In an increasingly polarised Honduras, Zelaya supporters called a national strike yesterday and teachers' unions suspended classes across the country.

The military government has threatened to arrest Zelaya as soon as he enters the country. But the deposed President said he hoped that the soldiers awaiting him will lower their guns and join his supporters.