Honduras Military Kicks Out President

[Crazed Rabbit]

Reuters

Sunday's coup was the first successful military ouster of a president in Central America since the Cold War era.

An opposition deputy said Congress would chose Roberto Micheletti, the head of Congress, as acting president later on Sunday, and Honduras' top electoral court said a presidential election would be held as planned on November 29.

The Supreme Court, which last week came out against Zelaya and ordered him to reinstate fired military chief Vasquez, said on Sunday it had told the army to remove the president.

"It acted to defend the rule of law," the court said in a statement read on Honduran radio.

Associated Press.

So, what should we make of this? On the one hand, it's a troubling return to the military coups of old in Central America.

On the other hand, the country's supreme court said it ordered the army to kick him out because of his plans for an unofficial vote. And it seems most of the rest of the government branches were against him (ie their congress).

CR

[Caius]

I don't get it. When military forces do a coup, OMGZ! TEH MILITARZ! THOSE DEMOCRACY HATERZ! while some countries do a self coup to stay undefinited time in power, aka Chavism.

I think the referendum was about if he could be reelected indefinitely. Which is a thing I heard in other country, but I do not remember. Maybe JAG knows.

[LittleGrizzly]

Im not sure whether this is good or bad...

Some other members of goverment in the country seem to think its a good thing... which leads me to believe it was done for the best interests of the democracy... but then the concerned statements from the US lead me to believe that it might not be such a good thing...

The US certainly isn't allied to the regime so if thier worried about him being ousted then im guessing something is wrong...

[CountArach]

I don't get it. When military forces do a coup, OMGZ! TEH MILITARZ! THOSE DEMOCRACY HATERZ! while some countries do a self coup to stay undefinited time in power, aka Chavism.

I think the referendum was about if he could be reelected indefinitely. Which is a thing I heard in other country, but I do not remember. Maybe JAG knows.

What the hell are you talking about?

Obama says he is "concerned", but doesn't seem to want to actually do anything. Hillary has condemned the coup and Chavez is threatening military action.

[Reverend Joe]

Well, he shouldn't have tried to make a bid for unlimited reelections, but that's no reason for a full-blown coup. If Congress et al was that opposed to him they could have defeated him legally.

Edit: gotta love the picture in the article: one hoorah go-getter stopping the press from crossing the line, and about five other guys sticking in the background, making sure their face doesn't get photographed too... I think we know who the rookie was in this picture.

[Papewaio]

So the Judicial arm ordered the Military to uphold the constitution?

If so its not another Fiji, its an arrest.

[CountArach]

So the Judicial arm ordered the Military to uphold the constitution?

If so its not another Fiji, its an arrest.

But then the military branch announced its own President. That to me does not sound even close to an arrest - that to me sounds like a coup from within the government.

[KukriKhan]

So the Judicial arm ordered the Military to uphold the constitution?

If so its not another Fiji, its an arrest.

Yeah. From some reports it sounds like the SC ordered the military to do it's constitutional duty. And now comes word that their congress has selected an interim Pres. Though ugly, it sounds legit.

The bothersome bit is Zelaya's bid to hold a national referendum/constitutional convention (that would be their 16th), which might accurately reflect the will of its citizens, vs the current set-up.

But their current constituion (Summary Here) seems to specifically prohibit moves by any official to extend their terms beyond "one" (see specifically, near the bottom of that linked page, the info on Title VII).

Meanwhile, saber-rattling by Chavez automatically makes me suspicious.

[Devastatin Dave]

Obama says he is "concerned", but doesn't seem to want to actually do anything.

That's what he does about EVERYTHING; licks finger, sticks it in the air, and waits to see which way the wind blows. Empty suit.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

This looks legitimate. The Congress and judicial system apparently support it, the Acting President appears to be from the same party as the former President and will apparently remain so until elections are held. Right now it looks like an arrest with a bit of extra muscle.

[rory_20_uk]

Can I ask an admittedly unlikely hypothetical?

The America President after doing something massively popular just after winning a landslide re-election tables legislation for the 2 terms in office to be relaxed. His minions in the houses are so elated they pass the motion.

What would then happen?

Does the Supreme Court step in and if required ask the military to step in, or does the Commander In Chief of the military command them as it was democratically decided? Could the Prez then remove the Supreme Court for acting against the democratic process?

[Louis VI the Fat]

So, what should we make of this?

As far as I've understood it, I would say that, roughly, the division runs along the same lines as in better-known Venezuela. Chavez and Zelaya, the leftist populists. Verus the oligarchs.

Like Chavez, Zelaya tried to get a third pesidential term. This is unconstitutional, therefore Zelaya wrote a referendum about it. At this point, the Supreme Court and parliament asked the army to intervene and to oust Zelaya.

Who to root for? Well, as in Venezuela, neither really. When pressed, my heart goes out a wee bit more to Zelaya, but my mind firmly to the Supreme Court and the army.

[Caius]

LEts condemn both, the military who declared that every person away from home at some hour would be arrested, and Zelaya, you are hanging your own king. Our nations doesnt have too many time away from military coups, and we did not earn nothing when militars were in power. Also, Zelaya, those are the rules. Respect alternancy, and you wouldn't have had this problem.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Zelaya, those are the rules. Respect alternancy, and you wouldn't have had this problem.

That's what I was thinking. But the EU, the US and many in Latin America have condemned the coup. Possibly there are factors at work that I am unaware of.

I thoroughly dislike coups, but I didn't think we needed another presidente-for-life. Speaking of which, neither do we need Kirchners-for-life.