Honduran president inaugurates Museum of Memory 14 years after the coup of 2009

Tegucigalpa, June 29 (RHC)-- Honduran President Xiomara Castro commemorated Wednesday the coup d'état against her husband, Manuel Zelaya, on June 28, 2009, by inaugurating the Museum of Memory and Reconciliation.

"Today, with the opening of this Museum of Memory and Reconciliation, we create a space for reflection, for learning, a place to listen to each other, to listen to the silenced voices and rebuild the fundamental values of the recreation of our country," Castro emphasized in a short speech.

The museum was inaugurated in the former Presidential House, in the historic center of Tegucigalpa.

Xiomara Castro was accompanied by her husband, children and officials of the three branches of government, Executive, Legislative and Judicial.  Among the foreign guests were former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and former Salvadoran guerrilla Nidia Díaz.  Likewise, representatives of delegations from Argentina and Chile, among others.

The President recalled that the struggle of the Honduran people after the overthrow of Manuel Zelaya led to the emergence of the Libertad y Refundación (Libre) party.  "It is forbidden to forget that we are resistance," Castro stressed in his speech, in which he also recalled the martyrs of the coup.

He stressed that the museum will be a legacy for future generations of the country and that coups like the one in 2009 will never be repeated.

Manuel Zelaya was forcibly removed by the military when he was promoting a popular consultation, ignoring legal impediments.  The move was fully supported by the United States, which immediately recognized the military government.