Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday that his administration will not recognize the upcoming Honduran presidential elections, as continued protest against the country's coup
President Lula reaffirmed his government's disapproval of the Honduran coup while hosting a luncheon for El Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes.
He said he will not recognize any Honduran government except for that of elected President Manuel Zelaya.
"We will not recognize elections carried out by the forces of regress and authoritarianism," Lula said.
Honduras is scheduled to hold its presidential elections in November.
The Brazilian president said at the luncheon that soon after the June 28 coup, he recalled the country's ambassador from Tegucigalpa and suspended the Brazil-Honduras cooperation projects.
Last week, Brazil decided to suspend its visa-waiving agreement with Honduras.
"We must repudiate it (the coup) unconditionally and demand the return of President Manuel Zelaya to the position the Honduran people elected him to," said Lula.
Latin American countries, according to Lula, would suffer unless they learn to live in peace and in respect of differences. "That is something which cannot be forfeited."
Lula described the Honduran coup as "an unacceptable regress" and said those behind the coup need to understand that only the people's will is sovereign on the continent.
The president also said his country welcomed the recent measures taken by the United States toward Honduras concerning the coup.