Domestically, to contain pro-democracy demonstrations, the military regime has resorted to tactics reminiscent of Central America's dark past, with beatings, curfews, spot-checks, censorship and death threats. Honduran human rights advocate Bertha Oliva believes that the actions of the 'golpistas' (coup leaders) can only be explained as a reaction to the growing demand for citizen participation in Honduran politics.

However, the coup leaders have sought to make their actions appear necessary to defend the republic from a power-hungry President Zelaya, who was forced into exile.

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