Huge clashes break out in Honduras as demonstrators battle with soldiers and police over president's re-election

  • At least one person is believed to have died in the town of Saba after violent clashes raged on yesterday
  • Three police officers and one solider were injured and 12 demonstrators arrested across the country
  • Protesters are still angry over November's re-election of centre-right President Juan Orlando Hernandez 

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Bitter clashes have broken out across Honduras as police and the armed forces battle with protesters enraged by their president's re-election.

A 60-year-old man is believed to have died when police opened fire on protesters in the town of Saba, 130 miles north east of Tegucigalpa. 

Violent images are also emerging from the capital, where demonstrators blocked roads with burning tyres and riot police used tear gas to break up crowds yesterday.

Bitter clashes have broken out across Honduras as police and the armed forces battle with protesters enraged by their president's re-election

Bitter clashes have broken out across Honduras as police and the armed forces battle with protesters enraged by their president's re-election

Violent images are also emerging from the capital Tegucigalpa, where demonstrators blocked roads with burning tyres and riot police (pictured) used tear gas to break up crowds yesterday

Violent images are also emerging from the capital Tegucigalpa, where demonstrators blocked roads with burning tyres and riot police (pictured) used tear gas to break up crowds yesterday

Discontent is still raging after the re-election of centre-right President Juan Orlando Hernandez on November 26

Discontent is still raging after the re-election of centre-right President Juan Orlando Hernandez on November 26

Riot police are pictured trying to put out a burning tyre laid as a roadblock on the streets of Tegucigalpa yesterday 

Riot police are pictured trying to put out a burning tyre laid as a roadblock on the streets of Tegucigalpa yesterday 

Three police officers and one solider were also injured in the chaos, while 12 protesters were arrested nationwide. 

Discontent is still raging after the re-election of centre-right President Juan Orlando Hernandez on November 26. 

The 49-year-old has been in power since 2013, and is the first President of Honduras to run for a second term after the supreme court lifted a re-election ban.

He beat centre-left opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla, who was backed by former President Manuel Zelaya - ousted in a 2009 coup.

Zelaya has since called for people to take to the streets as part of the Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship.   

Masked protesters (pictured) who launched gas canisters at police shouted 'Out with JOH, out with the dictator' in the capital's Miraflores neighbourhood this weekend 

Masked protesters (pictured) who launched gas canisters at police shouted 'Out with JOH, out with the dictator' in the capital's Miraflores neighbourhood this weekend 

Honduras, a poor, violent country that has long sent vulnerable migrants north to the United States and is often attributed with the highest murder rate in the world, has been embroiled in a political crisis since the election

Honduras, a poor, violent country that has long sent vulnerable migrants north to the United States and is often attributed with the highest murder rate in the world, has been embroiled in a political crisis since the election

A 60-year-old man is believed to have died when police (pictured fighting violent crowds in Tegulcigalpa) opened fire on protesters in the town of Saba, 130 miles north east of the capital 

A 60-year-old man is believed to have died when police (pictured fighting violent crowds in Tegulcigalpa) opened fire on protesters in the town of Saba, 130 miles north east of the capital 

Honduras, a poor, violent country that has long sent vulnerable migrants north to the United States and is often attributed with the highest murder rate in the world, has been embroiled in a political crisis since the election.

At least 31 people have died in deadly street protests across the nation.

Masked protesters who launched gas canisters at police shouted 'Out with JOH, out with the dictator' in the capital's Miraflores neighbourhood this weekend. 

Three police officers and one solider were also injured in the chaos, while 12 protesters were arrested nationwide

Three police officers and one solider were also injured in the chaos, while 12 protesters were arrested nationwide

Late last year the electoral tribunal declared Hernandez, a staunch ally of the US, the official winner, despite strident protests over the vote count.

Initially, the vote tally had clearly backed Nasralla, but it swung in favour of the incumbent after a 36-hour delay.

Hernandez is due to take office on January 27. 

Zelaya said: 'We have to stay in the streets. If they move us from one spot, we have to move to another. 

'We need to be permanently mobilized to keep up the pressure and prevent the dictator from installing himself.' 

Armed riot police are pictured lined up on the streets of the Honduran capital where violent protests are still raging 

Armed riot police are pictured lined up on the streets of the Honduran capital where violent protests are still raging 

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