ADVERTISEMENT

Roads blocked in protests against election results

Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds jailed since Hernandez was declared the winner of the November 26 run-off election -- after a three week stretch of often-interrupted ballot counting that stoked tensions and sparked accusations of fraud in the Central American country.

The left-wing Alliance in Opposition against the Dictatorship is heading a protest campaign insisting that the election was stolen from its candidate, former TV anchor Salvador Nasrallah.

The opposition called for a "national strike" on Saturday to block the country's main roads ahead of the start of the president's new term in office on January 27.

The government deployed police and soldiers to confront protesters.

ADVERTISEMENT

One demonstrator was shot dead Saturday, opposition leader and former president Manuel Zelaya told AFP, identifying the victim as Anselmo Villareal, 60.

Seven other demonstrators were detained and two police were hurt, police spokesman Jair Meza said.

A military spokesman, Lieutenant Jose Coello, told AFP that some highways had been blocked "but they are being cleared in a peaceful manner."

Coello said police confiscated tires, presumably to be set ablaze, that protesters were carrying in their vehicles.

Protesters blocked the country's main highway between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula at a point about 100 kilometers (65 miles) north of the capital, local media reported.

ADVERTISEMENT

In Tegucigalpa, police fired tear gas at protesters trying to block a road and burn tires. The demonstrators responded by hurling rocks.

Hernandez has implicit backing from the United States, which is pouring millions of dollars into Honduras and neighboring Guatemala and El Salvador to improve security conditions there.

Those three countries, collectively known as Central America's "Northern Triangle," are the biggest source of undocumented migrants heading to the United States.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Coalition backs Tinubu's policies, security interventions, other reforms

Coalition backs Tinubu's policies, security interventions, other reforms

Kano ranked as worst-governed state in Nigeria

Kano ranked as worst-governed state in Nigeria

EFCC boss vows to see Yahaya Bello’s prosecution to the end

EFCC boss vows to see Yahaya Bello’s prosecution to the end

EFCC arrests ex-aviation minister  Sirika for ₦8bn Nigerian Air scandal

EFCC arrests ex-aviation minister Sirika for ₦8bn Nigerian Air scandal

Ex-APC spokesperson backs EFCC's hunt for Yahaya Bello

Ex-APC spokesperson backs EFCC's hunt for Yahaya Bello

Woman suffering incurable disease finally gets her wish to choose how she dies

Woman suffering incurable disease finally gets her wish to choose how she dies

Lead British School student in viral video apologises for bullying Namtira Bwala

Lead British School student in viral video apologises for bullying Namtira Bwala

Emeka Ihedioha resigns from PDP after 26 years of membership

Emeka Ihedioha resigns from PDP after 26 years of membership

Student bullied at Lead British School is not my daughter  —  Daniel Bwala

Student bullied at Lead British School is not my daughter  —  Daniel Bwala

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT