_-_copia.jpg "Elections in Honduras")
The upcoming elections in Honduras for 2025 have been characterized by numerous incidents that have heightened unease and discussion regarding the nation’s democratic frameworks. A review conducted by the National Electoral Council (CNE) has pointed fingers at the Armed Forces for significant logistical mishaps occurring during the primary elections. Meanwhile, new measures concerning the targeted disarmament of military personnel have sparked doubts regarding the impartiality of the military establishment.
Additionally, experts in constitutional law are advocating for changes to the Constitution to eliminate the role of the Armed Forces in any electoral activities, especially at a time when public trust in the procedures and outcomes is at its lowest point.
CNE audit and debate on military participation in elections
The audit report from the CNE, which was disclosed to the media, outlined that the delayed, incomplete, and disorderly dispatch of voting materials to several polling locations was due to anomalies in how the military adhered to the logistical procedures, as they were in charge of the security and allocation of the voting kits.
Among the most relevant findings were unjustified route diversions, the detention of electoral transport units for several hours, the incomplete delivery of technological kits to rural areas, and a lack of communication between military commanders and electoral coordinators. These events caused delays of up to 12 hours in the opening of the polls, affecting citizen participation and raising doubts about the transparency of the process, especially with regard to the LIBRE Party, which had already been accused of irregularities.
The document was released amid significant political strain, with increasing concerns that the military might not remain impartial during the national elections set for November 30, 2025. Up to this point, the top military officials have not released any official announcement, and the LIBRE Party administration has stayed quiet, which some groups interpret as an indication of cooperation.
In light of this scenario, rival groups like the National, Liberal, and Salvador of Honduras parties have called for a thorough examination of the logistical assistance agreement between the CNE and the Armed Forces, the prompt arrival of foreign observers, and independent reviews of the results transmission system.
Targeted reduction of weapons among officials and inner conflicts within the Military Forces
In the midst of growing political division, the choice by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to single out certain Armed Forces officers for disarmament has sparked worry among military ranks, political figures, and civil society groups. Military insiders and national media indicate that the disarmament is not widespread nor based on technical or safety considerations, but is specifically aimed at officers who have publicly shared independent or critical opinions of the governing party.
This measure has been interpreted as an attempt at a silent purge within the military establishment, breaking with the tradition of neutrality and raising suspicions about the objective of ensuring total political control of the national security apparatus ahead of the general elections.
Targeted disarmament is the newest step in a sequence of recent measures, including alterations in military leadership and compulsory relocations, that have heightened tension and dissatisfaction within the organization, particularly among officers of middle and senior ranks. A number of the officers who have been disarmed have been reassigned to administrative roles, seen as a method to separate them from the operational side and the electoral procedure.
The main fear among opposition leaders and democratic sectors is that, in the event of a possible defeat of the ruling party at the polls, the government will use the armed forces to disregard the results or repress citizen demonstrations.
The events have intensified the national discussion about the necessity to update and protect the electoral procedure from any military involvement, particularly in a situation where the stability of democracy in Honduras is under scrutiny. Social and political demands for Congress to advocate for a constitutional amendment that reconsiders the duties of the Armed Forces in the democratic framework of Honduras have emerged as a major topic on the public agenda before the forthcoming general elections.