The Honduran coup regime has intensified its crackdown on supporters of the ousted President Manuel Zelaya. On Wednesday, police fired tear gas at a crowd of thousands trying to reach the Brazilian embassy where Zelaya has taken refuge. Meanwhile, police have confirmed the killings of two anti-coup protesters since Zelaya’s surprise return earlier this week. The Brazilian embassy remains surrounded by scores of armed Honduran forces. At the United Nations, several Latin American leaders attending the UN General Assembly called for Zelaya’s immediate return to office, including Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet: “My Latin American region has been able gradually to build a single vision which has enabled it to come rapidly to the aid of any threatened democracy, as we were able to do in Bolivia one year ago, or to strongly condemn democratic setbacks, such as Honduras a few months ago. This is why today, with President Zelaya, who returned peacefully to Honduras, I would like to reiterate our appeal for the immediate acceptance of the San Jose agreement promoted by the Organization of American States with President Zelaya’s return.”