Hondurans to Vote on Death Penalty

TEGUCIGALPA (EFE) –Congressional chief and presidentialhopeful Porfirio Lobo said Honduranswill hold a referendum on whether toreinstate the death penalty in thisCentral American country plagued by aspike in murders blamed on rampantgang activity.Lobo, in a broadcast address lateSunday, said that the death penalty shouldbe imposed in extreme cases, in which nodoubt exists regarding the criminal’s guilt.He did not say when the referendumwould be held.Lobo has made support for the deathpenalty one of the cornerstones of his”Work and Security” political movementvia which he hopes to win the internalNational Party elections on Feb. 20.General elections are set for Nov. 27.Honduras approved the death penaltyin 1936 but then abolished it in its 1957Constitution.