Congressional President Roberto Micheletti, of the Liberal Party, stated “We express to the secretary-general of the Organization of American States our profound indignation over the deployment of this mission to the country.”

The referendum, which asks voters if they want a “binding election” on whether to call an assembly to write a new constitution, is scheduled for Sunday, despite being opposed by court rulings and even objections from the President’s own Liberal Party.

The OAS is supposed to help coordinate policies and mediate disputes throughout the Americas.  They have not yet responded to the request.

Zelaya has become good friends with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, and states that many of Honduras’ problems stem from the 27-year-old constitution.  Chavez was able to expand his presidential powers, and it is considered common knowledge that Mel would like to follow in this footsteps by abolishing the rule that Honduran Presidents can only serve one four-year term, and President Mel Zelaya’s term is up in 2010.

The Honduran Attorney General and human rights supporters have  declared the vote illegal, and believe the current constitution explicitly prohibits the reform of articles establishing the Honduran system of representative democracy.  The Supreme Court ordered the armed forces and police to back the referendum.