Late Wednesday, as news emerged of talks on a possible agreement to let Zelaya depart for Mexico, that country requested guarantees for his safe passage as a distinguished guest and sent a plane to Honduras to pick him up.
Honduras’s interim foreign minister, Carlos Lopez, said the aircraft was diverted to El Salvador, however, when it became clear Zelaya would be allowed to leave only if he accepts political asylum as a private citizen - which Zelaya has refused, because that status might hinder his campaign to drum up opposition back home.
Information Minister Rene Zepeda said a deal is off the table unless Zelaya takes asylum.
“There are no new talks with Mexico and Brazil on Zelaya’s case,’’ Zepeda said. “If these countries want to get Zelaya out of Honduras, they will have to do it according to the law: by giving him asylum in their territories, but without a title. If that happens, our government will accept that, and they can take him immediately without any problem.’’
Zelaya faces arrest on treason and abuse of power charges for ignoring a Supreme Court order against holding a referendum on changing the constitution, which led to the June 28 coup.
On Nov. 29, Porfirio Lobo won presidential elections that the interim government hopes will be internationally recognized and help end the political crisis.
Zelaya said that by leaving, he hopes to seek a neutral site to meet with Lobo and “find a peaceful solution to the situation in the country.’’
But Zelaya said he wants a negotiated solution for his departure - one “that respected the law and respected my office’’ and would let him continue political actions abroad. He operated a sort of government-in-exile from other Latin American nations after being ousted.
“I will not accept any political asylum,’’ Zelaya said.
Honduras’s Congress, dominated by Zelaya’s own political party, voted 111 to 14 against restoring him to office.
