TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #42 08/13/2009 AS OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000744 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #42 08/13/2009 AS OF 14:00 LOCAL (16:00 EDT) REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 738 AND OTHERS ¶B. TEGUCIGALPA 677 -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Tegucigalpa: On August 13, a medium-sized (1000-5000) group of pro-Zelaya followers gathered at the Pedagogical University. As of 11:55 local (13:55 EDT), demonstrators were arriving at the Public Ministry. As of 14:00, approximately 1500 demonstrators marched to Radio Globo, where they were disbursed peacefully by soldiers and police. ¶2. (SBU) According to EmbOff, the Third Vice President of the National Congress, 71-year old Christian Democrat and outspoken pro-regime legislator Ramon Velasquez Nazar, was pushed and verbally insulted by protestors when he exited the Congress on August 12, but was not seriously injured (see Reftel B). Democratic Unification pro-Zelaya legislator Marvin Ponce, who has helped to coordinate the protests, was more seriously injured after being beaten by police, and is currently undergoing surgery on his arm at a local hospital. ¶3. (SBU) According to local media, the Honduran National Police (HNP) report 43 people were taken into custody for the incidents on August 11 (see reftel A),and 27 have been charged with crimes. Media also report the HNP found 13 Molotov cocktails and six explosive candles, of Peruvian origin, at the Pedagogical University. ¶4. (SBU) San Pedro Sula: The Deputy Police Chief for San Pedro Sula indicated that on August 12 demonstrators attempted to block access to the Metropolitan Olympic stadium before the Honduras - Costa Rica soccer World Cup qualifying match but were dispersed by the police with tear gas. Demonstrators did not respond with violence and no arrests were made. No acts of vandalism were reported. Demonstrators are expected to gather today, August 13, in Central Park. ¶5. (SBU) The local curfew for Tegucigalpa was not extended to August 12-13. The Embassy Warden Message urges AmCits to consult television and radio announcements each night in case a curfew is again imposed. -------------- Infrastructure and Communications -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa (TGU) and San Pedro Sula airport remain open. ¶7. (U) Most of Honduras' land borders with Guatemala and El Salvador are currently open to commercial and private vehicles. The borders between Honduras and Nicaragua have been closed intermittently since Friday, July 24. ¶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 Thursday, August 13. Barring any changes in the security situation, the Consular Section will remain open for regular consular services until further notice. ¶10. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic inquiries from AmCits regarding the political situation. Post circulated a Warden Message Monday, August 10. The Consular Section continues to regularly update ACS TEGUCIGALP 00000744 002 OF 002 information on the Embassy website. ¶11. (SBU) The next EAC meeting will be held as needed. LLORENS