Honduras: The Nonviolent Battle for the Zelaya Home in Catacamas By Al Giordano

On Thursday, we reported that soldiers of what is still a military coup in Honduras had surrounded the home of President Manuel Zelaya in the municipality of Catacamas, in the state of Olancho. Our source said at the time:

“The military has surrounded his home here in Catacamas...

Other homes of Zelayas' family members in Olancho are surrounded as well..

Military jets have been circling Catacamas today...

I saw the jets...

Helicopters as well...

The military has occupied roads leading to this area....”

As is evident from the photo of that home, above, it’s clearly a very nice home in comparison to most in poverty-imposed Honduras. In a developed world country it would be considered middle class. But it's not exactly the kind of mansion that is conjured by press reports of Zelaya as a wealthy rancher-turned-politician.

The coup regime’s obsession and paranoia over this modest house came in response to rumors last week that Zelaya – hunted by an illegitimate government that in one breath claims it has 18 criminal charges lined up to imprison him if he enters the country, but in the other breath was so afraid of the impact of his presence in national territory on the masses of Honduras that it wouldn’t allow his airplane to land on July 5 – was supposedly already in the country. (The day after the regime sicked the soldiers on Catacamas, Zelaya appeared in Managua, Nicaragua and held a press conference.)

In response to that militarized overreaction by the coup regime to mere rumors, the people of the small city of Catacamas (population 30,000) peacefully occupied Zelaya’s home to protect it from the soldiers.

A local farmer reported to Narco News last night:

“I just returned from President Manuel Zelayas' house. Some 1,500 supporters were there. The Military has checkpoints near Zelayas' home. Many supporters are afraid of the military...”

“The mood was positive at Zelayas' house. We clarified that Zelaya never said he was changing the Honduran Constitution so he could serve a second term. We ask the world to show us a written statement by Zelaya, or video footage of Zelaya stating he was changing the Constitution to serve consecutive terms. Such evidence does not exist.

“We sang and danced. We prayed for a peaceful solution. Many people spoke of how Micheletti tried to change the constitution in 1985... Many are tired of Micheletti refusing to step down. Patience is wearing thin.

"The leaders of the pro Zelaya movement here in Catacamas are being harassed. One was injured during a recent march in Telica, Olancho by a soldier. We are being watched. Regardless, we said it was better to die standing than to live on our knees. Many supporters are sleeping at Zelayas' house. To warn if soldiers try to occupy house again.

“I include a picture of President Manuel Zelayas' house. You will see that it is a simple house, in the Zelaya family many years.”

He also sent this photo, from yesterday, of the local citizens gathered to peacefully protect the house: