TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Police and soldiers clashed with thousands of protesters outside Honduras’ national palace Monday, leaving at least 15 people injured, as world leaders from Barack Obama to Hugo Chavez demanded the return of a president ousted in a military coup.
Leftist leaders pulled their ambassadors from Honduras and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala would cut trade with neighboring Honduras for at least 48 hours. Venezuela’s Chavez called for Hondurans to rise up against those who toppled his political ally, Manuel Zelaya.
"We’re ready to support the rebellion of the Honduran people,” Chavez said.
Protesters detained
Protests outside the presidential palace grew from hundreds to thousands, and soldiers and police advanced behind riot shields, using tear gas to scatter the protesters. The demonstrators, many of them choking on the gas, hurled rocks and bottles as they retreated. At least 38 protesters were detained, according to human rights prosecutor Sandra Ponce.
In Washington, Obama said the United States will work with others to resolve the matter peacefully.
The Organization of American States called an emergency meeting for today to consider suspending Honduras under an agreement meant to prevent coups that for generations made Latin America a tragic spawning ground of military dictatorships.
The new government, however, was defiant. Roberto Micheletti, named by the Congress to serve out the final seven months of Zelaya’s term, vowed to ignore foreign pressure.
"We respect everybody, and we ask only that they respect us and leave us in peace because the country is headed toward free and transparent general elections in November,” Micheletti said.
by the associated press
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