Pinoy Entrepreneurs

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras A military coup has divided Honduras between two leaders one recognized by world bodies and another backed by the countrys congress, courts and military.

There is a deep rift between the outside world which is clamoring for the return of democratically elected, but largely unpopular and soon-to-leave-office President Manuel Zelaya and congressionally designated successor Roberto Micheletti.

Zelaya was seized by soldiers and hustled aboard a plane to Costa Rica early Sunday, just hours before a rogue referendum Zelaya had called in defiance of the courts and Congress, and which his opponents said was an attempt to remain in power after his term ends Jan. 27.

The Honduran constitution limits presidents to a single four-year term, and Zelayas opponents feared he would use the referendum results to try to run again, just as Chavez reformed his countrys constitution to be able to seek re-election repeatedly.

Presidents from around Latin America were gathering in Nicaragua for meetings Monday on how to resolve the first coup in Central America in 16 years, while the European Union offered to help start talks between the two sides.

Once again, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took center stage, casting the dispute as a rebellion by the regions poor.

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