MEXICO, December 8 (RIA Novosti) – Certain political forces are trying to stage a state coup in Honduras similar to the one that ousted Manuel Zelaya in 2009, President Porfirio Lobo said.
“The conspiracy does exist, and what they are doing is dangerous for the country,” Lobo said on Friday addressing cadets at the General Francisco Morazán Military Academy. “They are creating a problem for us, which we did not have before.”
Lobo identified Jorge Canahuati, the owner of two major Honduran media outlets – La Prensa and El Heraldo, as one of the conspirators.
He said Canahuati had been meeting with representatives of various social groups to prepare the ground for a military coup much like the one in June 2009, when former Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya was ousted and expelled from the country over efforts to seek an unconstitutional second presidential term.
Charges of corruption and constitutional violation had been laid against Zelaya, but were later dropped.
Zelaya returned to Honduras from exile in the Dominican Republic in May 2011 and expressed support of the current president.
Lobo, who was elected president in the 2009 election following the coup, has promised to "begin the great national dialogue" and encourage private investment to generate employment and to increase social benefits in a country where 70% of its 7 million citizens live in poverty.
Honduras will hold presidential and general elections in 2013.
