The Guyana government yesterday condemned the removal of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya after a military coup and called for his early reinstatement.

In a statement, the government said that it was concerned at the breakdown of the constitutional order in Honduras, in accordance with the principles of democracy and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. “The government is also concerned that the events in Honduras may jeopardise the democratic political institutional process and the legitimate exercise of power,” it added.

The government also joined in condemning all acts of violence and the detention of government ministers and urged their release.

The government added its support to the call for the convening of a Special Session of the Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly today for the purpose of taking appropriate decisions, in accordance with the OAS charter, international law and the provisions of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Meanwhile, the governing PPP also added its voice to the condemnation of the coup, noting that experience has shown that military coups often lead to bloodshed. The party called on governments in the region and beyond not to recognise the military regime and call for the immediate re-instalment of the democratically elected Zelaya government. “We extend our solidarity to the people of Honduras,” it said.