The Honduran coup regime appears to have ruled out a delayed visit by a delegation from the Organization of American States. On Thursday, the coup government’s interim president, Roberto Micheletti, said OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza would only be welcome in Honduras as a tourist, not as part of an official visit. Micheletti said, “He is not welcome in this country unless he comes as a tourist, to spend dollars…for the good of our businessmen.” The ousted President Manuel Zelaya, meanwhile, was in Chile for talks with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. Standing near a statue of the ousted Chilean President Salvador Allende, Zelaya quoted Allende and thanked Chileans for their support.

Honduran President Manuel Zelaya: “Today, I would like to express, here, in front of the figure of Salvador Allende, my admiration and respect. Thank you to Chilean society for this letter. One day the big avenues will open for the free man to walk through America.”

Meanwhile, an estimated 5,000 supporters of the ousted President Manuel Zelaya marched in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa on Thursday to protest the arrest of at least sixty protesters earlier this week. Many still remain behind bars.