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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000631 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV CASC MARR KDEM PHUM ASEC HO
SUBJECT: TFHO1: HONDURAS COUP SITREP #25 07/21/2009 AS OF 
11:30 LOCAL (13:30 EDT) 
 
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 624 AND OTHERS 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000631  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
--------------------------------- 
DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITY 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶1. (U) As of 08:55 local (10:55 EDT), approximately 100 
pro-Zelaya supporters congregated at the entrance to 
Tegucigalpa's Kennedy neighborhood.  As of 10:08 local (12:08 
EDT), an estimated 1,500 peaceful demonstrators had 
congregated with five policemen stationed there as well.  As 
of 11:11 local (13:11 EDT), the 1,500 demonstrators were 
marching down Colonia Kennedy.  Juan Barahona, leader of the 
pro-Zelaya Bloque Popular movement was among the 
demonstrators. 
 
¶2. (U) A large pro-Micheletti march is expected tomorrow, 
July 22 down the Boulevard Suyapa in Tegucigalpa beginning 
around 10:00 local (12:00 EDT). 
 
¶3. (U) The recent escalation of gang-related violence could 
perhaps now be characterized as a gang war between rival 
MS-13 and 18th Street gangs.  There have reportedly been 29 
deaths, with 25 in the last week alone.  Among the dead are 
one policeman, four women, and four children.  The violence 
began following a June prison break of 18 gang members and 
their resulting attempts to retake territory and criminal 
operations. 
 
¶4. (U) The curfew remains in effect, and is expected to cover 
00:00-04:30 local (02:00-06:30 EDT) tonight.  Due to staffing 
changes within the Honduran National Police, PolOff was 
unable to ascertain the number of curfew-related arrests last 
night.  The latest Embassy Warden Message urged AmCits to 
consult television and radio announcements each night to 
determine the correct curfew hours. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Infrastructure and Communications 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) The pressure put on national media outlets by the 
defacto regime has begun to receive international attention 
with CNN en espanol reporting on pro-Zelaya television 
station Channel 36.  The station's owner, Esdras Lopez, 
reported to PolOff that his power is disrupted and channel 
goes off air whenever he reports on anything against the 
defacto government. 
 
¶6. (U) Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa remains 
open and has been operating since Tuesday afternoon, July 7. 
American, Continental and 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. 
 
¶7. (U) All land borders are open to both private and 
commercial traffic and functioning normally. 
 
¶8. (U) There are no reports of abnormal public utility 
outages in the country. 
 
------------------------------- 
Consular and Embassy Operations 
------------------------------- 
 
¶9. (U) The Embassy is open for normal business on Tuesday, 
July 21.  Barring any changes in the security situation, the 
Consular Section is open for regular consular services until 
further notice. 
 
¶10. (U) The Consular Section continues to receive sporadic 
inquiries from AmCits regarding the political situation.  The 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000631  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
latest warden message was issued Friday afternoon, July 17. 
Post will circulate additional Warden Messages only in the 
event that the security situation changes.  The Consular 
Section continues to regularly update ACS information on the 
Embassy website. 
 
¶11. (SBU) The EAC met Monday, July 20 at 14:30 local (16:30 
EDT) and determined that Post will maintain its current 
security posture. The next EAC meeting will be determined on 
Wednesday, July 21. 
LLORENS