Mercosur, the trading bloc of four Latin American countries, has ended its summit in Uruguay with a strong condemnation of the coup that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya in late June.

The bloc, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, called for President Zelaya's immediate reinstatement. Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, who hosted the summit, warned that the coup will not go unpunished. He added that that Latin America would never again tolerate any dictatorships.

Ousted President Zelaya is currently trying to return to Honduras from neighbouring Nicaragua. He intends to travel to the capital Tegucigalpa in a convoy of journalists and supporters. Honduras' new government, led by President Roberto Micheletti, has closed several border crossings in an attempt to stop the former leader.

Also on the summit's agenda were the swine flu and the global economic crisis.

Photos ANP