Honduras Military Arrests President

The arrest happened just before voting was to begin on a disputed constitutional election.

According to AP its reporter "saw dozens of green-helmeted soldiers surround the president's house Sunday morning and then later jump in trucks and drive away. About 60 police continue to guard the house. The president did not appear.

Zelaya had pledged to go forward with a referendum on constitutional reform despite the opposition of the Supreme Court, the military, Congress and members of his own party."

The president's private secretary Carlos Enrique Reina said that "There was a clash between the attackers and the president's personal guard," without specifying whether he had been killed or wounded.

It is reported that about 200 soldiers arrived in trucks and surrounded the residence early this morning in Cologne Zelaya Three Roads to the east of Tegucigalpa, after disarming some 10 heavily armed guards who were protecting.

An ally of the president, the peasant leader Rafael Alegria, told Radio Cadena de Noticias: "It is a coup d'etat ... that's unfortunate."

"There were gunshots, but did not know much what happened," he added. "But the attackers took by force the government and took him to ignore a site yet."

Zelaya on Thursday dismissed the highest military commander, General Romeo Vasquez, for refusing to cooperate in his push for constitutional reforms. He also accepted the resignation for the same reason from the Defense Minister Edmundo Orellana, but the Supreme Court and Congress returned the officer.

The military ruled Honduras for 18 years, between 1956 and 1982, after overthrowing the democratically elected three presidents.

Honduras.com published the U.S. Embassy Public announcement that alerted the American citizens who are either living or traveling to Honduras.

"The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa alerts American citizens residing in and traveling to Honduras of the possibility of demonstrations and protests related to a proposed national opinion poll that may be held on Sunday, June 28. Protests have been non-violent. All airports and border crossings in Honduras remain open to regular traffic.

"The Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid large gatherings, not try to pass roadblocks if they encounter them, and avoid travel in affected areas. U.S. citizens should monitor the situation via media sources, including TV and radio."

This travel advisory to Honduras is likely to change after the arrest of the country's president Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales.

Based on La Prensahn