(Ex?) President of Honduras Manuel Zelaya angrily declared the accord that might have returned him to power "dead" yesterday after a deadline passed without his reinstatement. Last week, both sides signed an agreement brokered by the USA which would have allowed the Honduran Congress to vote on his reinstatement. In exchange, the international community would recognize the upcoming November elections. Zelaya signed, apparently because he had a back-room deal in place to secure the congressional votes he needed. Unfortunately, he didn't read the fine print. The agreement states that Congress must first ask the Supreme Court for its opinion, then vote, but no timetable is given. It also states that a "unity" government must be in place by Thursday, November 5. Zelaya took this to mean that Congress must vote by then, but the two provisions are apparently legally unrelated. So the November 5 deadline passed without Zelaya nominating anyone to the unity government, as he was angry that Congress (which does not want him back) was dragging its heels asking the Supreme Court (which wants him back even less) for its opinion. Meanwhile, the unity government was set up as interim leaders innocently claimed that they had to do it and since they heard nothing from Zelaya, they did it without him. So now, the interim government has followed the letter of the agreement it signed, but has left Zelaya out of the unity government. Additionally, there appears to be nothing to force the Congress and Supreme Court to meet any time soon, which will allow them to "run out the clock" until a new election. If Zelaya is reinstated after a general election, his power will be negligible with an incumbent set to take over in a question of weeks.

Only a day after dismissing fears of a possible coup, President of Paraguay Fernando Lugo dismissed the nation's top military leaders and replaced them. The commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force were replaced with new ones who will take command once approved by the Paraguayan legislature. Lugo is still popular with the poor but his grip on the nation is slipping, as the opposition has gained enough power to threaten him with impeachment.

The ousted president of Honduras and the interim government that unceremoniously booted him out in June have reached an agreement to end the stalemate that has gripped the nation these last few weeks. Bowing to international pressure including a team of top US diplomats, both sides have agreed to let the Honduran Congress settle the fate of former President Manuel Zelaya. If the Supreme Court (which kicked him out in the first place) allows the vote, then Congress will determine if he can reclaim the presidency in a limited capacity until his term runs out in a few months. The agreement represents a compromise for both sides, who had been unable to agree on Zelaya's reinstatement. The interim government will allow him to reclaim his office, but his real power will be severely limited by the terms of the agreement and later by the presence of an incumbent president. Zelaya saves face by returning to the presidency, even if his power will be severely limited: he's probably thinking more about his political long-term future than his short-term one. The Honduran people will come out a winner, because the terms of the agreement will allow foreign aid to resume.

How much do you know about the most famous bandit-turned-revolutionary in the history of Mexico? Here's Fact #3: Pancho Villa did not drink alcohol. Learn more!