TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #25 07/21/2009 AS OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000631 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #25 07/21/2009 AS OF 11:30 LOCAL (13:30 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 624 AND OTHERS TEGUCIGALP 00000631 001.2 OF 002 -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (U) As of 08:55 local (10:55 EDT),approximately 100 pro-Zelaya supporters congregated at the entrance to Tegucigalpa's Kennedy neighborhood. As of 10:08 local (12:08 EDT),an estimated 1,500 peaceful demonstrators had congregated with five policemen stationed there as well. As of 11:11 local (13:11 EDT),the 1,500 demonstrators were marching down Colonia Kennedy. Juan Barahona, leader of the pro-Zelaya Bloque Popular movement was among the demonstrators. ¶2. (U) A large pro-Micheletti march is expected tomorrow, July 22 down the Boulevard Suyapa in Tegucigalpa beginning around 10:00 local (12:00 EDT). ¶3. (U) The recent escalation of gang-related violence could perhaps now be characterized as a gang war between rival MS-13 and 18th Street gangs. There have reportedly been 29 deaths, with 25 in the last week alone. Among the dead are one policeman, four women, and four children. The violence began following a June prison break of 18 gang members and their resulting attempts to retake territory and criminal operations. ¶4. (U) The curfew remains in effect, and is expected to cover 00:00-04:30 local (02:00-06:30 EDT) tonight. Due to staffing changes within the Honduran National Police, PolOff was unable to ascertain the number of curfew-related arrests last night. The latest Embassy Warden Message urged AmCits to consult television and radio announcements each night to determine the correct curfew hours. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶5. (U) The pressure put on national media outlets by the defacto regime has begun to receive international attention with CNN en espanol reporting on pro-Zelaya television station Channel 36. The station's owner, Esdras Lopez, reported to PolOff that his power is disrupted and channel goes off air whenever he reports on anything against the defacto government. ¶6. (U) Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa remains open and has been operating since Tuesday afternoon, July 7. American, Continental and Delta flights continue operating as normal. San Pedro Sula airport remains open for international flights, and American, Continental and Delta Airlines continue to operate flights as usual to and from that destination. ¶7. (U) All land borders are open to both private and commercial traffic and functioning normally. ¶8. (U) There are no reports of abnormal public utility outages in the country. -------------- Consular and Embassy Operations -------------- ¶9. (U) The Embassy is open for normal business on Tuesday, July 21. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section is open for regular consular services until further notice. ¶10. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic inquiries from AmCits regarding the political situation. The TEGUCIGALP 00000631 002.2 OF 002 latest warden message was issued Friday afternoon, July 17. Post will circulate additional Warden Messages only in the event that the security situation changes. The Consular Section continues to regularly update ACS information on the Embassy website. ¶11. (SBU) The EAC met Monday, July 20 at 14:30 local (16:30 EDT) and determined that Post will maintain its current security posture. The next EAC meeting will be determined on Wednesday, July 21. LLORENS