On Wednesday, with bullets and tear gas, the police confronted tens of students from the Honduran National University who were claiming an end to the dictatorship. In addition, police officers followed the demonstrators inside of the University, and attacked its Head, Julieta Castellanos, who tried to defend the students.

The demonstrations took place while the US Department of State issued a letter which seems to soften its position with reference to the coup, apparently in response to a request by Republican Senador Richard Lugar who demanded the US government to explain its position.

Several Republican congressmen have criticized the position adopted by President Barack Obama with reference to the de facto government, and have demanded to revert the position and support Micheletti´s regime.

Although the ousting of Zelaya is criticised in the letter by the State Department, it is not referred to as a coup d´etat, and explains that the State Department is not considering to adopt severe economic sanctions as a way to exert pressure.

"Our policy and strategy for engagement is not based on supporting any particular politician or individual. Rather, it is based on finding a resolution that best serves the Honduran people and their democratic aspirations,", states the letter.

On the other side, Zelaya criticised from Mexico the measures taken by the US, Such as the suspension of military support or the suspension of diplomatic visas to key figures of the dictatorship, and referred to them as “half-hearted”.

The constitutional president, who has stated that the coup staged in his country is supported by the most conservative sectors of the US, demanded Obama to harden the measures.

“Honduras greatly depends, about 70 or 80 per cent, on the US in terms of trade, and the economic situation of the country. The US should only have to cut trade, military and migration activities, and the coup would not last five minutes”, he stated.

Photo: http://hondurasresistencia.blogspot.com