Latin American Leaders Call for Return of Ousted Honduran President
VOA News 01 December 2009
Leaders from 19 Latin America countries, Spain, Portugal and Andorra are calling for the reinstatement of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.
The group issued a statement Tuesday after taking part in the Ibero-American Economic Summit in Portugal.
The statement said returning Mr. Zelaya to power would mark a "fundamental step" toward returning Honduras to democracy. The statement did not say whether the group recognizes Sunday's election in the Central American country.
Voters elected Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo, a wealthy rancher from the conservative opposition National Party.
Neither Mr. Zelaya, nor the man who helped oust him in a June coup, Robert Micheletti, took part in the poll.
Major Latin American countries like Brazil, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela have refused to recognize the results.
The United States said Monday the election was an important step forward, but was not enough to restore democracy to Honduras.
The Ibero-American summit primarily focuses on economic policies and technology, but it also has served as a platform to address other issues.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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