Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called the coup "troglodyte＂, saying his nation would not recognize anyone other than Zelaya. He also urged soldiers involved in the coup not to harass the civilians and called for public demonstrations against the coup plotters.

In a statement published by the presidents' office, Bolivian President Evo Morales described the events as "an escapade by a group of soldiers who are attacking democracy and the people." He also described the military participation in the coup as an offence to all soldiers.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the Central American Integration System (SICA) on Sunday rejected the naming of Roberto Micheletti, the former Congress leader, as the interim president of Honduras.

"We do not recognize any person, or group of people, who illegitimately seek to install themselves in Honduras' presidency as a result of the rupture in constitutional order," Nicaragua's vice foreign minister Manuel Coronel told the media, reading from a statement agreed by all SICA colleagues, except Honduras' Patricia Rodas, who is still held in Honduras.

"We energetically condemn the attitude of Honduras' armed forces against the democratically elected government of Manuel Zelaya," the statement said.

Brazil's Foreign Minister Celso Amorim described the coup as "an attack on democracy" and "inappropriate for the political development in the region". He added that Brazil's President Luis Inacio da Silva is following the developments closely.

"There is no room for hesitation faced with the interruption of democratic order in a brother nation," Panama's Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro said in a statement.

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told reporters that Cuba considered Zelaya "the only legitimate president" and described the coup as "criminal and brutal".

Colombia's Foreign Ministry called for the reestablishment of what it called "full legal and constitutional order" and expressed its "deep consternation" over the event.

Chile, Guatemala, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina also issued statements condemning the coup.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2009)