Protesters mark 100 days since Zelaya’s ouster

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Oscar Flores needed no reminder that Monday marked 100 days since former President Manuel Zelaya was forced into exile at gunpoint. He´s kept a tally and hoisted it over his head at every protest every day since then.

“We´re tired of waiting,” said Flores, 52, during Monday´s protest in front of the U.S. Embassy here. “It´s time to restore democracy.”

Monday also signified the 100th day in office for de facto President Roberto Micheletti, who lifted his executive order that for one week gave broad powers to the national military and police in limiting freedom of speech, assembly and the press.

Zelaya´s supporters said they were protesting in front of the U.S. Embassy to encourage the government there to take stronger steps toward ensuring Zelaya´s return to the presidency.

“We´re asking our North American brothers to support us in the face of this dictatorship,” said university student William Bardales.

The Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza announced over the weekend that he had spoken with Micheletti in recent days to promote dialogue between both sides in the conflict and help return constitutional order to Honduras.

Insulza and other OAS representatives will come to Honduras Wednesday to hold meetings with Zelaya and de facto government officials, though at this point it´s unlikely the two sides in the conflict will hold official meetings between each other.