No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCentral AmericaHondurasHondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up

Hondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up

Thousands of government supporters marched Saturday in the capital of Honduras to commemorate the anniversary of the 2009 coup that ousted then-leftist President Manuel Zelaya, the husband of current President Xiomara Castro. The gathering also served as a political rally for former Defense Minister Rixi Moncada, the presidential candidate for the left-wing Libertad y Refundación (Libre) party in the upcoming November 30 election.

Zelaya, who had taken office in 2006, was ousted by a civic-military alliance that accused him of seeking re-election outside the bounds of the Constitution to implement Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s “21st Century Socialism.” Chávez died in 2013. “I came because we’re commemorating the coup that set our country back,” said Juan Carlos Izcoa, a 54-year-old construction worker, during the march to the Presidential Palace.

He added that the march represents “popular resistance to prevent future coups.” In January, three retired generals were arrested for the death of a protester during demonstrations against the interruption of constitutional order. One of the military officers, Romeo Vásquez—who led the 2009 coup—is currently a fugitive after fleeing house arrest.

“A woman will hand over the presidential sash to this woman who is speaking to you today,” Moncada told the crowd of supporters dressed in the ruling party’s red and black colors. President Castro, absent from the rally, stated during an earlier ceremony at the Presidential Palace that the date was being commemorated “so that never again will democracy be threatened in this country.”

In contrast, opposition lawmaker Tomás Zambrano from the right-wing National Party said the upcoming elections are “the last chance to save democracy” in Honduras. “The socialists from Libre know they have no legitimate chance of winning,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Moncada’s main challengers are right-wing candidates Salvador Nasralla and Nasry Asfura.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Urges U.S. to Pause Tariffs Amid Export and Agriculture Concerns

The Costa Rican government has asked the US government to pause the tariffs announced last Thursday while negotiations between both countries continue. Costa Rican...

Guatemala Plans Visit to Migrants Held in Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center

The government of Guatemala confirmed on Friday that it arranged a visit to a detention center known as the "Alligator Alcatraz," located in a...

Canada Updates Travel Advisory for Costa Rica Amid Crime Concerns

The Canadian government updated its travel advisory for Costa Rica this week, recommending that its citizens "exercise a high degree of caution" due to...

Nicaragua’s Sandinista Commander Taken Into Custody

Sandinista commander Bayardo Arce, economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega, was jailed on Thursday after the government announced it was investigating him for corruption,...

Costa Rica’s Barra Del Colorado: The Perfect Place to Disconnect and Recharge

One of the greatest gifts Costa Rica offers its visitors is the rare chance to truly disconnect from the outside world. This modern world...

Former Guatemalan Mayor Extradited to US on Cocaine Conspiracy Charges

Guatemalan officials handed over former mayor Romeo Ramos Cruz to US authorities this week, marking another blow to drug networks operating in Central America....
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica