Days earlier, Zelaya had removed the head of the Armed Forces, General Romeo Vásquez Velásquez, which was followed by the resignation by other top military officials because they would not support the vote. 
Siku chache kabla, Zelaya alimuondoa madarakani mkuu wa majeshi, Jenerali Romeo Vasquez Velasquez, jambo ambalo lilifuatiwa na kujiuzulu kwa wanajeshi wengine wa vyeo vya juu kwa sababu hawakukubaliana na kura hiyo ya maoni.