DeMint singles out U.S. ambassador in op-ed on Honduras

The U.S. is virtually alone in its backing for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) asserted Saturday.

In an op-ed today in the Wall Street Journal, DeMint called out U.S. Ambassador Hugo Llorens and the Obama administration for its support for Zelaya in the wake of a coup earlier this year.

DeMint outlined his observations after having traveled with a congressional delegation to the country, characterizing Hondurans as largely content with the results of the coup.

"As all strong democracies do after cleansing themselves of usurpers, Honduras has moved on," DeMint wrote.

"Indeed, the desire to move beyond the Zelaya era was almost universal in our meetings. Almost," DeMint added. "In a day packed with meetings, we met only one person in Honduras who opposed Mr. Zelaya's ouster, who wishes his return, and who mystifyingly rejects the legitimacy of the November elections: U.S. Ambassador Hugo Llorens."

DeMint characterized the Obama administration's labeling of Zelaya's overthrow as a coup a "snap decision," and called on the administration to back off its standing policy and back the upcoming elections in the nation.