The Organization of American States ignored allegations of drug running and insisted on the unconditional return of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya to power. Last week, as Zelaya prepared a referendum declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, he was captured by armed gunmen and whisked away to Costa Rica. Zelaya calls it a coup: the Honduras COngress insists it has his resignation. Today, the OAS sent a strong message, saying it will sanction Honduras if the unpopular Zelaya is not restored. Meanwhile, in Honduras, the authorities are claiming that Zelaya was heavily involved in drug running from South America to the United States. The United States DEA refused to comment.

Today was supposed to be the day that Hondurans voted on a referendum which would allow changes to the constitution: among the changes was a provision allowing re-election for president Manuel Zelaya. It won't happen: the referendum was opposed by Congress, and the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional. When it became apparent that Zelaya wanted to go ahead with the vote, the military got involved. Early this morning, masked soldiers stormed the Presidential residence, arrested Zelaya and put him on a plane to Costa Rica. Zelaya has protested on CNN and by telephone interviews to other media outlets. In Honduras, Congress is prepared to swear in the next in line, President of Congress Roberto Micheletti. The capital of Tegucigalpa has been occupied by the army, and tanks and troops control every important building and street. Zelaya's opposition in Congress claims to have a signed letter of resignation, which has been formally accepted, a claim Zelaya denies. The leftist Zelaya is a close ally of the Castros in Cuba and Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. In the United States, President Obama has issued a statement urging all involved parties to use peace and democracy to sort out their differences.

Nine months ago, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez kicked out the US ambassador over a diplomatic spat involving Bolivia, and the US reciprocated. Yesterday, both nations acknowledged that they would restore the ambassadors in an effort to improve communication. Chavez's public bouts with former President George W. Bush were well known, and it is hoped that relations with the new administration will be more productive. Even as he announced the restoration of the ambassador, Chavez criticized the United States for being involved in recent protests in Iran. Relations with Venezuela can't be much worse than they were under the Bush administration: many hope that this new start leads to a better relationship.

Dictators, madmen, statesmen, visionaries...they've all sat in the presidential chairs of the nations of Central America since the Republic of Central America came crashing down in 1840. What do you know about these leaders?