War of Words

The rhetoric has escalated since June 28, when the Honduran military arrested and exiled President Manuel Zelaya. Despite overwhelming international support for restoring him to power, public opinion in Honduras remains bitterly divided and negotiations between Zelaya and acting President Roberto Micheletti have repeatedly broken down.

“We may not have the institutions, but the street is ours.”  — Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya

“One of the most painful things in all these events is the class hatred that’s been generated in Honduras. We didn’t have that in this country. In the last stage of President Zelaya’s government that hatred appeared in a systemic way.” — Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, of Honduras.

“We are ready to do whatever is necessary so that the sovereignty and the will of the Honduran people is respected.” — Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela.

If an accord is reached “it would be the first time in Latin American history that a coup d’état is reversed by the will of both sides.” — Oscar Arias, president of Costa Rica, who is mediating a settlement.