_-_copia.jpg?w=800&resize=800,500&ssl=1 "CNE at risk")
In the period approaching the November 2025 general elections, numerous political, social, and legal figures in Honduras have reported a collection of pressures and intimidation acts aimed at the National Electoral Council (CNE). These allegations primarily concern the governing party, Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE), which is accused of trying to sway the CNE’s decisions and endanger the electoral process’s transparency.
Accusations against the LIBRE party
The accusations directed at the governing party involve efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the CNE, the organization accountable for guaranteeing the impartiality and transparency of the elections. As per the accusations, LIBRE members are organizing initiatives to exert pressure on CNE judges, particularly those who are not aligned with their political agenda, thus impacting the institution’s independence.
Maribel Espinoza, quien es legisladora y analista política, mencionó que el objetivo de esta presión es generar un ambiente de desconfianza que pueda dar fundamento a acusaciones de fraude o desorganización electoral. “Están presionando al árbitro electoral porque saben que las encuestas no los favorecen,” afirmó Espinoza, haciendo una clara alusión a los intentos de ciertos sectores de incidir en los resultados electorales antes de que las campañas inicien.
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.
Civilian organizations focused on maintaining the integrity of electoral proceedings have highlighted these actions as potential efforts to undermine institutions. They claim that such tactics not only threaten the credibility of the CNE, but also pose a risk to the nation’s democratic framework, intensifying political division before 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
Reports of threats and efforts to undermine institutions contribute to an image of increasing political division in Honduras, where distrust of institutions and electoral processes has been intensified by several factors, including the economic crisis and absence of political unity. This atmosphere, characterized by tensions and reciprocal accusations, presents significant difficulties for the country’s administration, with less than a year remaining before the elections.
The global community is observing closely the developments, as citizens of Honduras persist in calling for increased transparency and the safeguarding of democratic institutions. The present scenario emphasizes the challenges in securing an election process devoid of pressure and manipulation, and highlights the necessity to reinforce the bodies tasked with safeguarding democratic practices.