Zelaya returns to Honduras
Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras today, and will give a press conference this afternoon. While initial reports cited his location to be the offices of the United Nations in Tegucigalpa, the Brazilian Embassy has confirmed his presence in their building, which is next door to de facto President Micheletti's private residence. According to Ximoara Castro, Zelaya's wife, "the President has entered the country to begin a dialogue" with members of the de facto government. Zelaya told Honduran Channel 36 that he was "here for the restoration of democracy, to call for dialogue." The de facto Micheletti government denies that Zelaya has successfully returned to Honduras. In a press conference at the presidential palace, Micheletti said that "it is not true, Zelaya is in a hotel suite in Nicaragua," but his return has already been confirmed by both the U.S. State Department and the Brazilian Embassy. News outlets are reporting that between 3,000 and 4,000 Zelaya supporters have gathered outside the main U.N building in Tegucigalpa in order to "protect" Zelaya from arrest, as Micheletti had previously stated that Zelaya would be immediately arrested if he crossed into Honduran territory. There is concern that a confrontation between pro-Zelaya and pro-coup groups or police forces could erupt on the streets. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly noted, "At this point, all I can say is reiterate our almost daily call on both sides to exercise restraint and refrain from ... any activities that could provoke violence." Update 3:51 pm: According to Zelaya, Secretary General of the Organization of American States José Miguel Insulza will travel to Honduras tomorrow to begin the dialogue between the de facto government and Zelaya.