Politics

Electoral process in Honduras

Signs of fraud attempts mar the electoral process in Honduras

Five months before the general elections in Honduras, various social and academic sectors are warning of signs that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process. Concerns revolve around reforms without consensus, institutional pressures, and the intensified use of the state of emergency, all in a political context marked by mistrust and polarization.The procedure, set for November, is taking place in a context of increasing tension. Experts and societal influencers emphasize the importance of an engaged and structured populace ready to oversee the elections to prevent any attempts at interference. In reaction, networks for monitoring the elections led by civil…
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Xiomara Castro

European diplomatic accreditation: Honduras’ silence is worrying

A long-standing hold-up by the Honduran administration in formally accepting the credentials of no less than eleven ambassadors from European nations has raised concerns in diplomatic, political, and business sectors. This occurs amid an era when the nation is under both domestic and global pressure concerning its administration, economy, and international standing.Envoys with no formal accreditationFor a number of months, diplomats from Europe who are accredited in Honduras have been waiting for President Xiomara Castro to formally accept their credentials. This ceremonial act is necessary for them to officially start their roles as plenipotentiary representatives. Up to now, no schedule…
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Honduras: COHEP calls for action in response to economic slowdown

The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) has delivered a serious alert concerning the economic trajectory of Honduras. In a newly released statement, the group pointed to the government for the decline in the investment environment, economic stagnation, and increasing unemployment, issues that, they assert, are worsened by a lack of technical and agreed-upon decisions.COHEP's stance arises amidst increasing friction between the governing party and the private sector, intensified by proposals like the Tax Justice Law. The business sector argues that these actions might exacerbate economic uncertainty and lead to capital outflow, rather than addressing the nation's fundamental issues.Unresolved changes…
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Salvador Nasralla

Salvador Nasralla leads in voting intentions for the 2025 elections

Several public opinion surveys rank Salvador Nasralla as the leading candidate in voting preferences for the 2025 general elections, within a context characterized by conflicts among the primary political parties of the nation.Five months ahead of the nationwide elections in Honduras, the latest survey outcomes indicate a close race, with Salvador Nasralla, who is the present candidate for the Liberal Party, positioned at the forefront in two major polls released in May. These findings illustrate a period of crucial political choices, where potential coalitions of opposition and the solidification of nominations could significantly influence the direction of the election proceedings.Polls…
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Koriun case in Honduras

Protests in Honduras escalate over impunity in the Koriun case

The crisis generated by the massive pyramid scheme perpetrated by the financial company Koriun Inversiones has escalated in recent weeks, with citizen protests in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula demanding concrete action from the Honduran government. Those affected in different regions of the country accuse the authorities of institutional inaction in a case that has left more than 35,000 people with losses amounting to millions. The state's response, which has been limited so far, has intensified public criticism and reopened questions about the capacity of the financial and judicial systems to prevent and punish fraud on this scale.Examination of governmental…
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Electoral integrity in Honduras

Electoral integrity in doubt ahead of elections in Honduras

Five months prior to the general elections set for November 30, civic organizations, democracy specialists, and political figures have raised alarms over the inadequate conditions to ensure a fair electoral process in Honduras. These alerts highlight the structural and operational deficiencies that might undermine the elections' credibility, amid increasing institutional distrust.Warnings regarding structural issues and earlier grievancesThe Center for the Study of Democracy (CESPAD) has recognized numerous dangers to the electoral process, notably the lack of significant changes in the Honduran voting system. This situation is exacerbated by longstanding practices that have weakened the public's trust in the bodies tasked…
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Xiomara Castro

Xiomara Castro anticipates election results: legal implications

In a setting characterized by institutional weakness and political division, Honduran President Xiomara Castro stirred debate by declaring an election win for the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) prior to the official results being issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE). This statement, delivered at a party gathering broadcasted on pro-government platforms and social media, has been viewed by different groups as a potential breach of the neutrality principle anticipated from the executive leader amid an active electoral process.Statements from the president foreshadow outcomesIn her address to the public, Castro applauded Rixi Moncada, a notable personality in LIBRE and an…
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Honduras: manipulation of justice in the Romeo Vásquez case

International law specialists and autonomous researchers concur that the leaked footage attempting to associate retired General Romeo Vásquez Velásquez with criminal networks holds no legal standing in US federal courts, thus undermining one of the primary claims utilized by pro-government groups to criticize the former military leader.Based on specialists interviewed by global media outlets, the material does not have forensic validation, legal framework, or evidentiary linkage, rendering it inadmissible in the U.S. legal system. "A video that lacks expert evaluation and is not part of a legal procedure cannot be sustained in federal court," commented a former federal prosecutor with…
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The LIBRE party

The LIBRE party and the erosion of democratic checks and balances

Different segments of Honduran society and global entities are voicing concern about the institutional dominance exerted by the governing party in a political scenario characterized by conflicts over governance and democracy.Strengthening authority within major government bodiesFrom the start of the present government under the leadership of President Xiomara Castro, the Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE) party has increased its foothold in key governmental bodies. The party in power has extended its influence to the National Congress, the Supreme Court of Justice, the Public Ministry, the National Police, and the Superior Court of Accounts.Based on claims from the opposition, numerous appointments have…
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