On the morning of June 28, 2009, Honduras, Central American countries, and the rest of the world stood in shock and silence as President Manuel 'Mel' Zelaya was exiled from l the Honduran army. What began in 2008 as a minor issue in Congress, when the Supreme Court denied Mel a referendum to change the Honduran constitution, turned into an all-out brawl between the three branches of government when he ignored their decision and went moved forward with his plan by installing a fourth ballot. After many months of speculation, it became clear that his intent was concrete and so, two days after the National Congress issued a secret arrest warrant, the Honduran army stormed the presidential palace in the late hours of June 27 and forced Mel and his family to board a plane to Costa Rica. Shortly thereafter it was announced that the president of Congress, Roberto Micheletti, would replace him de facto as president. This act, which many considered a violation of human rights, tested the integrity of the Honduran government, the will of the people and put the eyes of the entire world on a small, poverty-stricken country that had decided to take matters into its own hands in the their hands. There have been many misunderstandings, pressures and acts of defiance that have led to this constitutional crisis. The most important motivation for the crisis and the eventual coup was the threat of a fourth ballot. This fourth ballot would survey public opinion on the formation of an assembly later this year to amend the constitution. “The Supreme Court, Congress and the National Electoral Tribunal have all declared such a poll or popular consultation illegal, since it was not approved by Congress. The president ordered the military... in the center of the paper... Doctors for Human Rights. 2009. Network. January 15, 2012. .McCoy, Jennifer. “Constitutional Crisis in Honduras: Expert Q&A from Dr. Jennifer McCoy, Americas Program Director.” The Carter Center: Promoting human rights and alleviating suffering. The Carter Center, July 13, 2009. Web. January 15, 2012. .Prensa, La. "El Regreso a La OEA, Retorno De Zelaya E Informe De La CVR, Hechos Políticos ..." La Prensa [San Pedro Sula] May 19 2011: 1. Digital Process. La Prensa, 28 December 2011. Web. 15 January 2012. .Prensa, La. "Hondureños Gritan Al Mundo: "No Más Chávez"" La Prensa [San Pedro Sula] 09 May 2010: 1. Print.