Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said that he believes the generals and politicians now ruling Honduras have US backing, even if not from President Barack Obama.

Mr Chavez said Honduras' military junta and political leaders "have Yankee support".

He added in remarks to the TV channel Telesur that he's "not saying they have the support of Obama" and that he hopes the US president takes a stronger stance against the coup leaders.

He called it a "cowardly government" in Honduras after a Venezuelan plane carrying ousted President Manuel Zelaya was kept from landing by troops who blocked the runway.

Mr Chavez said earlier at a Venezuelan independence day parade that he hopes for an "awakening" by Honduran troops to restore Mr Zelaya.

Belfast Telegraph