As Jake Tapper of ABC News notes:
The military removal of Zelaya as president – and the appointment of Roberto Micheletti as interim President by the Honduran legislature – came after Zelaya attempted to rewrite his nation’s constitution to end term limits to continue his rule, despite the fact that term limits in the constitution is one of eight “firm articles” that cannot be changed.
After the Honduran Legislature refused to call a constitutional convention to rewrite the constitution, Zelaya called for a referendum to do so, which the Honduran Supreme Court and Attorney General declared unconstitutional. Zelaya, allied with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez , fired top military commander Romeo Vásquez Velásquez for refusing to carry out the referendum. Every branch of government sided against Zelaya and Congress began discussing impeachment proceedings. Acting on orders from the Honduran Supreme Court, soldiers arrested Zelaya on June 28 and sent him into exile in Costa Rica.
I find it curious that the Obama Administration wishes to restore Manuel Zelaya to the Presidency of Honduras. Such is a recipe for disaster. The rule of Honduras, as it is any civilized nation, rests upon acceptance of ruling by the Supreme Court. On more than one occasion, President Zelaya acted unconstitutionally.
In the end, the Honduran Supreme Court removed President Zelaya for violating his country’s constitution by seeking to extend his term in office and for defying its authority on the matter. Zelaya’s removal was authorized by Articles 239 and 272 of the Honduran Constitution.
The military removal of Zelaya as president – and the appointment of Roberto Micheletti as interim President by the Honduran legislature – came after Zelaya attempted to rewrite his nation’s constitution to end term limits to continue his rule, despite the fact that term limits in the constitution is one of eight “firm articles” that cannot be changed.
Restoring Zelaya is a non-starter.