The Obama administration appears to be backing off its opposition to the Honduran coup regime just as internal resistance is growing in the Honduran streets. On Wednesday, riot police used tear gas and water cannons on a crowd of hundreds of supporters of the ousted President Manuel Zelaya in the capital Tegucigalpa. At least four people were arrested. Meanwhile, some 15,000 nurses and other hospital workers have gone on strike in support of Zelaya’s return. They join Honduran public school teachers, who have been striking for weeks. Zelaya supporters are expected to pour into the capital from across Honduras ahead of a major rally planned for Monday. Speaking from Mexico, Zelaya called on the US to use its trade leverage over Honduras to pressure the coup regime.

President Manuel Zelaya: “Honduras depends on the United States for 70 percent of its economy, commercial activity, immigration, and military treaties. With just one hand, or in five minutes, the United States could reverse this coup. I have been giving the benefit of the doubt to President Obama, because I believe his statements and his demonstrations and those of his ambassador, Secretary Clinton. But logically, the measures that have been taken so far are lukewarm. They don’t solve the problem.”

Zelaya’s call came as the Obama administration showed signs of retracting its stated support for his return. In a letter to Republican Senator Richard Lugar, the State Department said US policy in Honduras “is not based on supporting any particular politician or individual. Rather, it is based on finding a resolution that best serves the Honduran people and their democratic aspirations.” The letter also criticizes Zelaya for taking “provocative” actions that “led” to his removal. It also says the US has still yet to determine whether Zelaya’s ouster constituted a military coup.