In the months leading up to the November 2025 general elections, various political, social, and legal actors in Honduras have denounced a series of pressures and acts of intimidation directed against the National Electoral Council (CNE). These accusations mainly target the ruling party, Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE), which is accused of attempting to influence the CNE’s decisions and jeopardize the transparency of the electoral process.
Accusations against the LIBRE party
The allegations against the ruling party include actions that seek to delegitimize the authority of the CNE, the body responsible for ensuring the fairness and transparency of the elections. According to the allegations, members of LIBRE are orchestrating campaigns to pressure CNE magistrates, especially those who do not respond to their political interests, thereby affecting the institution’s autonomy.
Maribel Espinoza, a congresswoman and political analyst, said that the aim of this pressure is to create a climate of mistrust that would justify accusations of fraud or electoral disorganization. “They are pressuring the electoral referee because they know that the polls are not in their favor,” Espinoza said, in a clear reference to the efforts of certain sectors to influence the election results before the campaigns begin.
Strategies for undermining organizations
The allegations are not limited to pressure on magistrates, but also include the spread of hostile rhetoric by figures close to the LIBRE party. A growing disinformation campaign has been identified on social media, aimed at undermining the credibility of the CNE and sowing doubts about the impartiality of the electoral body.
Civil society organizations concerned about the integrity of the electoral process have pointed to these acts as possible attempts at institutional sabotage. They assert that such maneuvers are not only an attack on the legitimacy of the CNE, but also constitute a danger to the democratic order of the country, exacerbating political polarization ahead of the November 2025 elections.
Requests for global oversight
In view of the worsening situation, various sectors of society have called for the intervention of international observers to safeguard the transparency of the electoral process. In this regard, organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union, and various human rights entities have been asked to monitor the conduct of the elections, ensuring that the process is carried out without political interference or manipulation.
Lidia Meza, a constitutional lawyer, stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of the electoral system, noting that “the electoral system cannot be hijacked by partisan interests. The country needs guarantees, not threats.”
Context and challenges for democracy
Allegations of intimidation and attempts at institutional sabotage add to a picture of growing political polarization in Honduras, where mistrust of institutions and electoral processes has been exacerbated by various factors, such as the economic crisis and lack of political cohesion. This environment, marked by tensions and mutual accusations, poses serious challenges for the country’s governance, less than a year before the elections.
The international community is closely monitoring the process, while Honduran citizens continue to demand greater transparency and the preservation of democratic institutions. The current situation highlights the difficulties in guaranteeing an electoral environment free from pressure and manipulation, and underscores the need to strengthen the institutions responsible for ensuring the exercise of democracy.
