Honduran officials denied US visa rights
July 29 2009 by Rebekah Nahai
No US visa rights for Roberto Micheletti
US authorities have cancelled the US visas of four members of the Honduran interim government.
The temporary government was put into place following the exile of Manuel Zelaya, the country’s democratically elected president, last month. But the US government regards the de facto government as illegitimate.
"We don't recognise Roberto Micheletti as president of Honduras. We recognise Manuel Zelaya," a US spokesperson said.
US President Barack Obama described the temporary government as “illegal” in a conference with Colombian President Alvaro in Washington DC.
The four interim Honduran officials had previously obtained US visas for other purposes. The US policy of non-recognition of Micheletti’s government has led to the visas being revoked.
The decision is increasing the pressure for Zelaya’s reinstatement as president.
Zelaya was ousted following his attempt to gain public support for amending the Honduras constitution. Opposing groups believed he was scheming to change the number of terms a president is permitted to serve.
The Supreme Court ruled Zelaya’s push for public voting against the Honduran constitution.
Zelaya was arrested in his pyjamas by soldiers the night of June 28 and has been in exile in Nicaragua since then.
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