Top Brazilian official indicates country may recognize Honduras’ post-coup president

Brazil signals recognition of Honduran election

RIO DE JANEIRO — A top Brazilian official has signaled that Latin America’s largest nation may recognize the Honduran candidate who won last weekend’s post-coup presidential election.

Dilma Rousseff is chief of staff for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Rousseff says the Central American country’s Nov. 29 election should be considered separately from the June 28 coup that ousted ex-President Manuel Zelaya.

Previously, the government had said it would not recognize the election unless Zelaya was returned to office and allowed to serve out his term, which ends Jan. 27.

Rousseff told Brazilian television late Friday from Germany that the coup “is one thing” and “discussing the election” another.

She says “this new process” — the election — “has to be considered.”