‘Insurrection’ in Honduras as Police disperse pro-Zelaya protest

Source: Al Jazeera

Some reports said protesters threw stones at police, but officials reported no arrests and there was no immediate reports of injuries.

Zelaya remained inside the embassy and accused police of preparing an attack.

"The embassy is surrounded by police and the military … I foresee bigger acts of aggression and violence, that they could be capable of even invading the Brazilian embassy," Zelaya said in an interview with Venezuelan broadcaster Telesur.

Radio Globo in Honduras later reported that a team of "hooded men" had stormed the house next to the Brazilian embassy, but there was in independent confirmation.

Mariana Sanchez, Al Jazeera’s correspondent reporting from Honduras, said: "It’s difficult to say whether they would go into the Brazilian embassy and get former president Manuel Zelaya out of there.

"Of course, they would be breaking international treaties [if they did] – the situation is very tense."

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‘Insurrection’

Oscar Hendrix, a youth activist in San Pedro Sula, told Al Jazeera he and others were planning to march to the capital in defiance of the curfew. Keep reading

"It’s like an insurrection, you know. The people say they won’t listen to the government so today is going to be a very important day," he said.

"We will call for [people in] the capital to mobilise … and they will see that there are more of us that want constitutional order back in our country. We’re trying to do it in a peaceful way, that’s our main goal."

Carlos Salgado, a 43-year-old jewellery-maker from Zelaya’s home state of Olancho, said: "We’re here to support him and protect him, and we’re going to stay here as long as it’s physically possible."

Honduran security forces have dispersed thousands of pro-Zelaya protesters outside the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, where Manuel Zelaya, the ousted president, has taken refuge.

Police fired tear gas at the demonstrations and chased them away from the embassy in the Honduran capital on Tuesday, a day after Zelaya sneaked back into the country.