Mel Sought to Attend ALBA Summit in Cuba

There is speculation that what prompted the flurry of movements on Wednesday on the part of the Mexican government to facilitate the departure of deposed president Manuel "Mel" Zelaya from Honduras is Mr. Zelaya's interest in attending the planned Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) in Havana, Cuba on Sunday. The Nicaraguan government portal "El 19" reports that President Daniel Ortega spoke by telephone with Mr. Zelaya on Tuesday evening. In the conversation, Mr. Zelaya apparently told him of his intention to travel to Mexico and then to Cuba for the ALBA event.

According to Mr. Ortega, Mr. Zelaya said that he planned to leave for Mexico within the "next few hours" and that he expected to be received with full honors as the Head of State of Honduras, and then flown to Havana to participate in the fifth anniversary celebration of the founding of the ALBA alliance. The government of Honduras has denied a request for safe-passage for Mr. Zelaya to leave Honduras made by the Mexican government. Mr. Zelaya is facing charges by Honduras' Supreme Court of Justice for alleged crimes committed while he was president, including treason, abuse of power, and corruption.