Over the past several weeks, there has been unrest in the government of Honduras because of the president's efforts to extend his term limit and remain in office as well as his links to Venezuela. As you have read, the president was expelled this past weekend from the country by the army with backing of the Honduran congress and the country's supreme court. To this point, it has been a peaceful change of leadership.

The HOI ranch continues to operate as usual, and there is no evidence that the government's changes will cause problems with either the ranch operations or the trips of groups to Honduras. However, this is uncharted territory. Historically, Honduras has been a peaceful nation. The only U.S. military base in Central America is in Honduras. There are many reasons to be positive.

But, the U.S. State Department has issued a warning to Americans planning to visit Honduras. Please read the following warning carefully. You will need to make your own decisions as to your feelings about traveling to the ranch in upcoming weeks.

There is always a degree of danger traveling in a third world nation. The needs of the people in the Agalta Valley are great. You need to be wise in balancing desires to assist our friends with concerns over personal safety. If you have a trip planned later this summer, we prayerfully ask that you not cancel the trip at this time. Events are fluid and hard to predict, but our interest is and continues to be the safety of our groups and staff in Honduras. Tensions seem to be easing up.

Here is the State Department warning. It should be prayerfully considered before traveling to Honduras at this time.

U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa
Avenida La Paz
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

To: All American Citizens
From: American Citizens Services Unit, Consular Section
Date: July 16, 2009
Subject: Warden Message

Due to the current unstable political and security situation, the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa recommends American citizens defer all non-essential travel to Honduras until further notice.

The Embassy advises American citizens residing in and visiting Honduras to be cautious about traveling outside of city limits and to be aware of possible road blocks that might affect mobility around the country. The government of Honduras has imposed a curfew effective from (12:30 a.m.) 00:30 to 04:30 (4:30 a.m.) Friday, July 17. The Embassy strongly recommends American citizens abide by this curfew.

The Embassy has advised its staff to limit travel to daytrips.

Demonstrations both against and in favor of the new regime are expected to continue in the coming days throughout the country. Demonstrations to date have been generally non-violent and there have been few reports of injuries.

Tegucigalpa's Toncontin Airport will be open for normal business until further notice. We advise travelers to contact their airlines directly to confirm.

Those with flights scheduled with American Airlines may wish to call (504) 216-4800 (Honduras) or 1-800-433-7300 (United States). Those traveling with Delta Airlines may wish to call 1-800-241-4141 (United States and Central America) or (504) 550-1616 (San Pedro Sula). Those with flights scheduled with Continental Airlines may wish to call (504) 220-0999 (Tegucigalpa), (504) 557-4141 (San Pedro Sula), or 1-800-231-0856 (United States). Taca Airlines and its affiliates have cancelled domestic flights for the past week for reasons unrelated to the political unrest.

Honduras' land borders with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua are open to commercial and private vehicles but may be the target of future demonstrations.

The Embassy again strongly recommends that American citizens avoid large gatherings and do not try to pass roadblocks if they encounter them. U.S. citizens should monitor the situation via media sources, including tv and radio when possible, and via the internet.

Barring changes in the security situation, the Consular Section will be open for normal business. This includes the immigrant, non-immigrant and American Citizens Services units at the Consular Section at the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa and the American Citizen Services unit at the Consular Agency in San Pedro Sula.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website (http://travel.state.gov), where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone (504) 238 5114, after hours telephone (504) 236 8497; Consular Section fax (504) 238 4357;
E-mail: usahonduras@state.gov
Webpage: http://honduras.usembassy.gov