Western Hemisphere
Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez warned that the decision of his Honduran counterpart Manuel Zelaya to return to Honduras on Thursday, after being overthrown and expelled by the military on Sunday, "threatens" his safety and the safety of his entourage.

Following the meeting of the Rio Group in Managua, where Zelaya announced his decision to return to Honduras, "we talked for two hours about all the scenarios and it is evident that he will be in danger," Chávez told a group of reporters on Monday night, AFP reported.

Despite the likely risks of going back to his country, "(Zelaya) remains firm because of his dignity. We are obliged to support his decision. We are obliged to protect his life and the life of the people accompanying him," Chávez said.

He did not clarify whether he will be with Zelaya when the ousted president returns to Honduras. Chávez had requested several of his counterparts to accompany Zelaya to guarantee his safety.

"It seems that José Miguel Insulza," the secretary general of the Organization of American States, will accompany Zelaya. "But we are at the service of Zelaya and of Honduras," Chávez said.