TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #27 07/23/2009 AS OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000638 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC CASC KDEM MARR AEMR PINR HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #27 07/23/2009 AS OF 10:30 LOCAL (12:30 EDT) REF: TEGUCIGALPA 636 AND OTHERS TEGUCIGALP 00000638 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b and d) -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) RSO contacts have indicated there will be an increase in activity today, July 23. As of 09:15 local (11:15 EDT),approximately 1,500 peaceful pro-Zelaya demonstrators blocked traffic on the road to the Soto Cano base at the El Durazno post. At this time, 100 military and police were stationed there as well. ¶2. (U) As of 09:15 local (11:15 EDT),several more pro-Zelaya roadblocks had been reported throughout the country. RSO contacts reported two road blocks in Copan, another block on the road between San Pedro Sula and Puerto Cortes, as well as ONE on the CA-5, Honduras' main highway, outside of Comayagua. ¶3. (SBU) As of 10:25 local (12:25 EDT),police contacts at the Las Manos border crossing with Nicaragua reported that people were beginning to gather, awaiting the rumored arrival of President Zelaya. There are 100 military and police stationed at that particular border crossing. ¶4. (U) Several teachers' unions are striking today and plan to join pro-Zelaya demonstrations. Healthcare unions have gone on strike as well, resulting in the closure of two Tegucigalpa medical centers: Hospital Escuela and the Honduran Social Security Institute. ¶5. (SBU) Three buses from the community of Guadelupe Carnei, near Trujillo in Colon Department were allegedly commandeered by the military yesterday, July 22 while in transit to San Pedro Sula. Reports indicate the community has been taken over by the 15th brigade of the Honduran Armed Forces. The community, which was created in 2000 as part of a land reform program, has a history of violence between peasants and large landowners including a massacre on August 5, 2008 when 11 landowners were killed by members of the land reform movement. ¶6. (SBU) Pro-Micheletti protests yesterday, July 22 grew significantly larger than reported by the time of Reftel. Several locally employed staff were in attendance and reported the march was seven kilometers long. ONE report estimated 120,000 individuals participated. The Honduran national police intelligence officer reported yesterday that teachers at two Tegucigalpa high schools sent some of their students out to confront the pro-Micheletti demonstrators. The students attacked the peaceful marchers with stones and bricks. Although police detained several of the students, they cannot be held because they are minors. In total, there were 13 demonstrations throughout the country yesterday. ¶7. (U) Police contacts report that 13 Nicaraguans were detained yesterday in La Barca and Catacamas. Migration authorities are investigating their migration status. An article that ran yesterday, July 22 in the conservative pro-Micheletti daily "El Heraldo" claims that 121 Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Iranians have been detained by military and police authorities since the June 28 coup. (Note: We are tracking the Iranian report. End Note). ¶8. (U) The curfew remains in effect, and is expected to cover 00:00-04:30 local (02:00-06:30 EDT) tonight. Police contacts report that yesterday's number of curfew violation arrests was incorrect -- 78 people were arrested for violating curfew July 22 rather than the 10 previously TEGUCIGALP 00000638 002.2 OF 002 reported. Last night, 103 people were detained for violating curfew. The Embassy Warden Message urges AmCits to consult television and radio announcements each night to determine the correct curfew hours. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶9. (U) Pro-Zelaya air traffic controllers have reportedly gone on strike at Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa. With enough pro-Micheletti controllers to staff the tower, the airport remains open with American, Continental, and Delta flights 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. ¶10. (U) All land borders are functioning normally and open to both private and commercial traffic. ¶11. (U) There are no reports of abnormal public utility outages in the country. -------------- Consular and Embassy Operations -------------- ¶12. (U) The Embassy is open for normal business on Thursday, July 23. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section is open for regular consular services until further notice. ¶13. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic inquiries from AmCits regarding the political situation. The 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. ¶14. (SBU) The next EAC meeting will be held Thursday, July 23 at 02:30 local (14:30 EDT). LLORENS