Mr.Zelaya's arrest by Honduran troops and deportation to Costa Rica was triggered by his efforts to hold a referendum that could have kept him in office beyond the end of his term in January.

VOA: standard.2009.09.03

The United States had tried to mediate in the simmering dispute that led to the coup, centering on what Mr.Zelaya's opponents saw as an effort to remain in power even though obligated by term limits to leave office in January.

VOA: standard.2009.07.01

The left-leaning elected Honduran leader was arrested by the military and deported three months ago in a dispute over his efforts to stage a referendum that would have allowed him to remain in office beyond the end of his term, which ends in January.

VOA: standard.2009.09.22