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.

Many of those who made it to Nicaragua wondered how long they could hold out, tired of sleeping on foam mattresses, forgoing showers and waiting for Zelaya to come up with strategy for his comeback.