HONDURAS faces its “biggest crisis” since the US-backed coup a decade ago, according to former president Manuel Zelaya.

Mr Zelaya warned that the “massive levels of protest” sweeping Honduras represent a major challenge for the government as they mount pressure on President Juan Orlando Hernandez, also known as JOH, to resign.

Mr Zelaya said “the dictatorship has to leave sooner or later” as the country’s armed forces led a brutal crackdown on demonstrations marking the 10th anniversary of the US-backed coup that deposed him.

Demonstrations over the weekend saw huge crowds demanding an end to violence and the resignation of Mr Hernandez.

They were angered over the growing repression which has seen at least three protesters shot dead in the past week.

Armed forces stormed the National Autonomous University of Honduras last Monday and opened fire on students protesting against Mr Hernandez. At least four of them required hospital treatment.

But despite the escalating repression and violence, Mr Hernandez continues to enjoy the support of the US.

Mr Zelaya hit out at Washington for its backing of “a militarised government that represses protest.”

Protests have swept the country since April with Hondurans establishing roadblocks and raising slogans including “Fuera JOH” (Out With JOH).

Teachers’ and health workers’ unions initiated the action over controversial public-sector reforms they say will see massive job losses and the opening up of privatisation.

They were joined by lorry drivers last week before Honduran police refused to deploy units to deal with the growing unrest as part of their own strike.

Mr Hernandez responded by mobilising the military.

He was forced to appear on state television last week amid growing calls for him to step down. He rejected pleas for his resignation, insisting he would complete his term of office in 2022.

“I’m going to do the work until the last day of this mandate,” he said.

But the crisis has continued to grow with the country’s Catholic bishops releasing a statement after their recent congress to say: “Enough!”

It warned that Mr Hernandez’s management of the country “could plunge Honduras into a very difficult crisis to overcome.”

In their statement they said that “the high cost of living, crime and violence, unemployment, serious shortcomings in the health and education systems and corruption” were major concerns for all Hondurans.

Washington is accused of ignoring repression and political violence in return for permission to have a large military base — Soto Cano Air Base — in Honduras. Around 500-600 US troops are stationed at the site.