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Roberto Micheletti was installed as caretaker president hours after the military coup.
The newly installed Honduran President claims the military coup that brought him to power saved the country from the shackles of a Chavez-sponsored socialism.

Roberto Micheletti, who was installed as caretaker president hours after a military coup against the constitutional president, told Reuters on Monday that the ousted President Jose Manuel Zelaya was trying to follow a socialist model set by President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

"President Zelaya was moving the country toward 'Chavismo'," he said. "He (Zelaya) was following this model which is not accepted by Hondurans."

Micheletti pointedly used the Spanish term, 'Chavismo' in reference to the Chavez's socialist style of rule that won him substantial popularity in Venezuela and across Latin America.

Zelaya's forced removal was promptly condemned by Organization of American States (OAS), including the United States, whose president described the move as "illegal."

Venezuela, however, was more vocal in blasting the military coup d'etat, vowing to do whatever necessary to return President Manuel Zelaya to power.

The Venezuelan president vowed to overthrow Honduran Congress leader Micheletti should he be sworn in as president.