Military repression heightens tension in the Honduras crisis

Raimundo López

TEGUCIGALPA, July 27.—Repression on the part of the armed forces against opponents of the military coup of June 28 is constantly accentuating the crisis to increasingly explosive levels in Honduras.

In a climate of growing political tension, the popular forces agreed on Sunday to increase their actions in defense of reestablishing a state of law and the restitution of Manuel Zelaya the constitutional president.

Half an hour after concluding the meeting, a bomb exploded in the Beverage and Allied Workers Union (STIBYS), where hundreds of impassioned people had participated in an event.

The National Front against the coup d’état also confirmed that thousands of people are trapped by military squads that are preventing the arrival of aid, in what amounts to a state of emergency.

Troops and police have even halted the movement of aid caravans, national Red Cross teams, and a group of 15 professionals from the National Medical School who are trying to get help to these people

Israel Salinas, general secretary of the United Workers Federation, also raised the alert as to the grave situation in the eastern department of El Paraíso, subjected – he stated – to a permanent state of siege.

He added that the Front’s leadership has also ratified demands for the unconditional restitution of President Manuel Zelaya and the convening of a national constituent assembly to re-found the nation.

Salinas informed that the Front is to continue blocking highways, taking over public institutions, and organizing demonstrations throughout the country. These measures are in addition for another national strike this coming Thursday and Friday, organized by the country’s three main workers unions.

"Our decision is categorical: we are not going to retreat an inch, nor even one millimeter," Salinas stressed. (PL)