Honduras to send soldiers into streets to aid police in combatting wave of violent crime

[Judi Lynn]

Honduras to send soldiers into streets to aid police in combatting wave of violent crime
FREDDY CUEVAS
Associated Press Writer
7:11 p.m. EDT, April 13, 2010

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Troops will be sent into Honduras' streets to help police combat a wave of violent crime, the government said Tuesday.

Defense Minister Marlon Pascua told reporters that soldiers will be assigned to search vehicles and pedestrians and pursue criminal suspects. He did not specify when the troops would be deployed.

He said the decision was announced by President Porfirio Lobo at a Cabinet meeting.

This Central American country of 7.7 million people suffered more than 5,300 homicides in 2009 while grappling with a political crisis touched off by a coup.

The country's army was harshly criticized after soldiers hustled then-President Manuel Zelaya out of the country aboard an airplane last June.

All six members of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff were charged with abuse of power in January, but all were later cleared by a Supreme Court judge. Lawmakers approved amnesty for both Zelaya and all those involved in his removal.

More:
http://www.courant.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-lt-honduras-crime-army,0,7429065.story

[EFerrari]

1. So, I take it they will be investigating each other?