Zelaya struggles to secure backing

Encamped in the mountains near Honduras, ousted president Manuel Zelaya has struggled to galvanise poor farmers, teachers and street activists into a movement strong enough to overcome his powerful foes and sweep him back into office.

Military checkpoints have kept all but a few hundred supporters from reaching the Nicaraguan town of Ocotal, where Zelaya parked his government-in-exile last week in a bid to keep up the pressure on Honduras’ coup-installed leaders. Dozens of people camping behind the military blockades gave up today and started trickling home.