Supreme Court of Honduras

[9] The final issue was an attempt by the executive branch to re-elect a sitting member of the court who wasn’t on the slate of 45 candidates, Sonia Marlina Dubón de Flores.

[9] The standoff included alleged threats from Defense Minister Arístides Mejía to surround the congressional building with tanks should members fail to comply with the request to reseat Dubón.

[9] An angry retort from President of the National Congress Roberto Micheletti, who said that the legislature abided by democracy and rule of law, not military threats or pressure.

[9] President Manuel Zelaya appeared before Congress shortly after the standoff to quell rumors started by National Party opponents that he was attempting a coup over the issue.

[9] The Democratic Unification (or Unified Democracy) and Innovation and Unity parties abstained from the final vote in protest of the system used to select the court.

[9] The Mission verified widespread distrust in the selection process, more specifically, a belief that the candidate lists are a result of political and powerful interest groups interferences.