WOLA Expresses Concern About Violence in Honduras

July 31, 2009

Press Release

  WOLA Welcomes Central American Presidents’ Support for San José Negotiations, Expresses Concern About Violence in Honduras

The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) welcomed Wednesday’s declaration in support of negotiations to resolve the crisis in Honduras at a meeting of regional leaders. The Presidents of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia called for the restoration of constitutional order in Honduras and urged support for the San José proposal, made by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias

Meanwhile, WOLA received reports of confrontations in Honduras between demonstrators opposing the recent coup d'etat and police forces.  The demonstrators had attempted to block a road leading into and out of the capital, Tegucigalpa; police responded with force, including the use of tear gas.  There are reports of serious injuries and detentions, although the numbers are unknown. 

Elsewhere, security forces have reportedly blocked roads into and out of a border region where protestors had gathered.   WOLA calls on the Micheletti government to allow the protestors to return peacefully to their homes, and urges all sides to refrain from the use of force. 

“A negotiated solution is the only road to lasting peace in Honduras and the beginning of the process of national reconciliation,” said WOLA Executive Director Joy Olson.   

Contact:
202-797-2171
Geoff Thale, Program Director, gthale@wola.org