Zelaya creates new political alliance in Honduras

When former President Manuel Zelaya returned to Tegucigalpa in May, nearly two years after being ousted, one of the first questions analysts asked was to what extent he would get involved in politics again. Last Sunday, during his first major public appearance, "Mel" moved a step closer to answering that issue when he announced the creation of a new political alliance which hopes to take part in the 2013 presidential elections.

The alliance, called Broad Popular Resistance Front (FARP), stems from the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP), the leftist coalition of grassroots organizations and political parties created to support the overthrown politician. The 1,500 delegates at the gathering voted in favor of pursuing recognition as a political party.

Zelaya, accompanied by his wife (and possible presidential candidate) Xiomara Castro, explained that this political force is based on "popular power" and sets out to govern the country for the next 50 years. "We aim to create a new form of government. We will go to the ballot boxes to do justice," added the conservative-turned-leftist politician.

One of the alliance's flagship programs, unanimously backed by the delegates, will be to promote a change in Honduras' Constitution. Such an attempt sparked off the June 28, 2009 coup that ousted Zelaya. But he argues that pushing this change is part of "the process of re-founding Honduras. We are going to achieve this with the Constituent Assembly."