HONDURAN SECURITY forces have turned the capital, Tegucigalpa, into a ghost town and set up a de facto siege around the Brazilian embassy where ousted president Manuel Zelaya is holed up.
Troops established a three-mile perimeter around the embassy and occupied neighbouring rooftops a day after using batons, water cannon and teargas to clear thousands of Zelaya supporters, leaving one dead, about 30 injured, 170 detained and the streets deserted.
Authorities also briefly cut the embassy’s water, electricity and phone lines and blasted it with high-pitched noise from a truck-mounted speaker.
The left-wing leader, who was exiled in a coup three months ago, sneaked back into Honduras on Monday, sought refuge at the Brazilian embassy and declared his intention to wrest back power.
Thousands flocked to the compound and cheered when Mr Zelaya, wearing his trademark cowboy hat, appeared on a balcony.
Violence flared after the authorities declared a curfew and sent in security forces to disperse the crowd.
A UN truck brought hotdogs to those inside the embassy yesterday, but conditions were cramped, with many sleeping on couches and the floor. About 85 supporters of Mr Zelaya and embassy staff left; soldiers let them pass.
The ousted president, defiant but visibly drained in back-to-back media interviews, accused the interim government of “asphyxiating” his refuge and claimed there was a plan to assassinate him and make it appear like suicide. He said six protesters died during the clashes, a claim the authorities denied.
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, told the UN general assembly in New York that Zelaya should be immediately returned to power.
Interim president Roberto Micheletti urged Brazil to hand over Mr Zelaya to face corruption and treason charges, but said the embassy would not be invaded.
Latin American governments, the US and the EU, all of whom recognise Mr Zelaya as the legitimate leader, called for dialogue and calm.–( Guardianservice)