Three months have passed since the coup in Honduras when President Manuel Zelaya was ousted.
Three months have passed since the coup in Honduras when President Manuel Zelaya was ousted. After the coup, the ambassadors of the EU countries left Honduras in protest. When the EU a week or so ago decided that the ambassadors would return, Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Rupérez Rubio, among others, was told that he would not be welcome.
“The Embassy staff have been given ten days to close the Embassy or they will be forced to leave the country.” These remarks came from Ignacio Rupérez Rubio over the phone from El Salvador, where he is now waiting to find out where he is to go.
The post-coup government in Honduras issued a statement last week to the effect that those who severed diplomatic ties in July would not be allowed back unless they negotiate with the de facto government led by Roberto Micheletti.
The EU’s role
“The EU has tried to act by asking for a normalisation of the political situation and by taking measures such as freezing aid to state institutions. So far without result”, says Ignacio Rupérez Rubio.
He does not hold out much hope for the near future.
“It is not easy to find a way forward. The OAS mediation effort is not working, but it is important to have a dialogue. We must continue to exert just enough pressure”, says Ignacio Rupérez Rubio.
The EU Presidency has in various statements emphasised the importance of reinstating constitutional rule and a democratic process. The EU has also expressed its support for the negotiation process begun in July by President of Costa Rica Oscar Arias. The Organisation of American States (OAS) has also made attempts at mediation, but the de facto government will not allow representatives from OAS into the country.
Zelaya at the Embassy of Brazil
The crisis began when Mr Zelaya was expelled from the country after having ignored the judgment stating that the Supreme Commander of the country’s armed forces should regain his position. The military had refused to distribute ballot boxes for the referendum that Mr Zelaya wanted to hold in order to change the country’s constitution. Mr Zelaya then fired the Supreme Commander. The Supreme Court judged that the referendum was illegal. The cause of the crisis in Honduras can, however, also be explained by the deep polarisation between the poor and a privileged elite.
On 21 September, Mr Zelaya returned to Honduras and is currently under Brazilian protection at the country's embassy in the capital Tegucigalpa.
“It is a complicated situation which has deteriorated since the return of Mr Zelaya to Honduras. There are currently no intentions to hold a dialogue between the parties”, says Ignacio Rupérez Rubio.
EU Presidency
Since Sweden does not have an embassy in Honduras and Spain is taking over the Presidency after Sweden, Ignacio Rupérez Rubio represents the EU Presidency in Honduras.
“But I never had time to do more than offer the Swedish Presidency my cooperation before I had to leave the country.”
The Spanish Embassy in Tegucigalpa is still open and the Ambassador may still enter the country.
“I am currently awaiting instructions. Entering the country could further complicate the situation, so I am standing by.”