Manuel Zelaya Returns, Part Three

(Thumbnail image from HavanaTimes.org)

Is the third time the charm for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya?

In a surprising third return this week to Honduras, Zelaya ignited protest and violence as he took refuge at the Brazilian embassy, surrounded by supporters.

In a phone interview with Al Jazeera English Zelaya says:

“I’ve come here to sort out problems, and I hope that the international community will support me."

Zelaya’s return comes about two months ahead of the November 29 presidential vote in Honduras. We take a look at the timing and impact of his return through perspectives from TIME Magazine, TeleSur, Al Jazeera English, France24, and SkyNews.

TIME Magazine reports that Zelaya’s return was a well-timed stunt…

“His surprise appearance, impeccably timed to create buzz at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City this week — where Zelaya was scheduled to speak — made de facto Honduran President Roberto Micheletti and other leaders of the June 28 military coup that ousted Zelaya look like losers in a game of whack-a-mole.”

Latin American TV network TeleSur notes that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke of the incident in front of more than 120 presidents at the U.N. assembly:

"The international community demands that Zelaya return immediately to the presidency of his country."

Zelaya was deposed by the military on June 28th and was expelled to Costa Rica. His opponents accused him of seeking to change the constitution through a referendum to hold onto power. Since then, the U.S. and other countries have continued to call for his reinstatement.

France 24 explains why his return may be important to the region, and the implications for Zelaya:

“If a coup could be carried out here in a democratically elected country, there is a lot of fear in countries across the continent that it can also happen in their country...

“For the elected president Manuel Zelaya, it’s now or never. Election is coming up for new president, his term is due to finish on January 1, if he doesn’t make a move now it will be very difficult and in the future with the new president coming in, to enter the country.”

Al Jazeera English notes that Costa Rican president Oscar Arias has agreed to talks with Zelaya.

"I think it is much more civilised if we re-start the negotiations… So I have invited both the foreign minister of the de facto government and the Zelaya people to re-initiate this dialogue in my country.”

Finally, Sky News reports that Micheletti has agreed to talk with Zelaya, but with one condition:

"I am ready to talk with Mr Zelaya, as long as he explicitly recognizes the presidential elections."

With just two months to go before the presidential elections, will Zelaya’s return lead to discussions or to further problems for Honduras and the Western hemisphere?