Mel Will Not Seek Political Asylum Abroad

Deposed president Manuel "Mel" Zelaya reiterated on Wednesday evening that he is not seeking political asylum in Mexico or any other country, and that he is intent on remaining at the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa until the end of his term on January 27, 2010. He said that he would be willing to visit Mexico as an honored guest of President Felipe Calderón and in his capacity as "president of the Honduran people".

According to former Honduran foreign minister, Guillermo Pérez, the norm is for countries to provide political asylum to individuals whose lives are in danger or are being persecuted for political reasons. For the government of Honduras to provide safe-passage for Mr. Zelaya to travel to Mexico under political asylum status would at least suggest that it poses a threat to Mr. Zelaya -- something that would be problematic from both a political and public relations standpoint.

Political asylum status in Mexico would also be problematic for Mr. Zelaya because it would prohibit him from engaging in any political activities, and it would prohibit him from leaving the country, unless he wished to lose the protections granted under that status.

I can stay here 10 years. Here I have my guitar.

-Manuel Zelaya