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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000614 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC AEMR KFLO PINR
AMGT, HO, TFH01 
SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #21 07/17/2009 AS OF 
13:00 LOCAL (15:00 EDT) 
 
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 607 AND PREVIOUS 
 
--------------------------------- 
DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶1. (U) As of 09:00 local (11:00 EDT), pro-Zelaya 
demonstrations today, July 17, were expected to be similar to 
those of yesterday, July 16 (Reftel), with demonstrators 
congregated around the CA-5, Honduras's main highway, at the 
north and south ends of Tegucigalpa.  As of 09:40 local 
(11:40 EDT), approximately 200 pro-Zelaya demonstrators 
blocked transit on the CA-5 to southern Honduras and 1,300 
Zelaya supporters blocked the northern route as well.  Other 
road closures are reported in northern Honduras. As of 10:50 
local (12:50 EDT), the numbers of demonstrators rose to 
between 1,500 and 1,800 blocking the southern artery and 
1,300 remain on the northern route. 
 
¶2. (U) Post has observed a dramatic escalation in 
gang-related violence in the last week with 24 reported 
deaths believed to be due to territorial and narcotrafficking 
disputes. Post will prepare a full report SepTel. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Police contacts report five Nicaraguans posing as 
students and student counselors at a school in El Progreso 
(northern Honduras) have been arrested after being unable to 
"justify their presence in the country."  Police searched the 
house they were renting and found only mattresses.  Three 
Nicaraguans were also detained for questioning in Olancho, 
eastern Honduras. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Undercover police sources report a significant 
increase of people crossing the land border into Honduras 
away from official crossings, which they attribute to the 
political crisis.  Post will continue to monitor the 
situation, though Honduran authorities have limited resources 
to patrol the "blind crossings." 
 
¶5. (SBU) Representatives from U.S. franchises met with 
EconOff on June 16.  A representative from INTUR, a company 
which represents Burger King, Popeyes, Little Ceasars, 
Church's Chicken, Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin Robbins and Chilis, 
as well as a representative from the McDonalds franchise 
expressed concern for their businesses and reported that 
their restaurants have been significantly damaged by 
protests, graffiti, and vandalism.  They have also 
experienced a severe loss in revenue due to the curfew and 
political unrest.  McDonalds reported that damages total USD 
50,000 not including business lost.  A Burger King in San 
Pedro Sula was bombed.  They believe that the attacks are 
directly aimed at U.S. businesses, evidenced by the fact that 
not a single Pollo Campero (a Guatemalan company) has been 
damaged.  They also presented a letter that has circulated 
asking the Honduran people to protest U.S. businesses calling 
the United States "golpistas." 
 
¶6. (U) The de facto government reinstated the curfew July 15 
following a heightened state of alert by the national police 
force.  Last night, July 16, the curfew was imposed from 
23:30 to 04:30 local time (01:30 to 06:30 EDT).  PAO and RSO 
noted that curfew times have been variable, with several 
print media and otherwise reliable sources circulating 
incorrect times.  A/CG will add a statement to the Warden 
Message urging AmCits to consult television and radio 
announcements each night to determine the correct curfew 
hours.  Police contacts confirmed that 64 people were 
arrested nationwide last night for violating the curfew. 
 
¶7. (U) Rumors of deposed President Zelaya's potential return 
and resulting violence continue to cause alarm.  Several 
local Embassy staff utilized Post's liberal leave policy for 
the first time today, July 17, out of concern for their 
ability to safely commute. 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000614  002 OF 002 
 
 
Infrastructure and Communications 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) Toncontin Airport remains open and has been operating 
since Tuesday afternoon, July 7.  All American Airlines 
flights were cancelled yesterday, Jul 16, and today, July 17. 
 One Continental flight was cancelled this morning due to 
maintenance issues unrelated to the political situation. 
Delta flights continue operating as normal.  San Pedro Sula 
airport remains open for international flights, and American, 
Continental and Delta Airlines continue to operate flights as 
usual to and from that destination. 
 
¶9. (U) As of 10:30 local (12:30 EDT), there were 
approximately 80 demonstrators blocking traffic on the 
Salvadorian side of the Honduras-El Salvador border crossing 
at El Amatillo.  All other land borders are reportedly open 
to both private and commercial traffic. 
 
¶10. (U) As of Friday morning, there are no reports of 
abnormal public utility outages in the country. 
 
------------------------------- 
Consular and Embassy Operations 
------------------------------- 
 
¶11. (U) The Embassy remains open for all regular consular 
services today, July 17.  Barring a change in the security 
situation, the consular section plans to be open for regular 
consular services until further notice. 
 
¶12. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive 
approximately 50 inquiries each day from AmCits regarding the 
political situation.  Post issued an updated Warden Message 
yesterday afternoon, July 16.  The Consular Section continues 
to regularly update ACS information on the Embassy website. 
 
¶13. (SBU) The next EAC will take place Friday July 17, at 
14:00 local time (16:00 EDT). 
LLORENS