Honduras: military controversies threaten elections

The electoral process set for 2025 in Honduras has been characterized by a series of occurrences that have heightened unpredictability and discussions regarding the democratic frameworks of the nation. A report from an internal review conducted by the National Electoral Council (CNE) pointed fingers at the Armed Forces for major logistical shortcomings in the primary elections. Meanwhile, recent actions concerning the selective disarmament of military personnel have sparked doubts about the impartiality of the military establishment.

Added to this is the call by constitutional experts to reform the Constitution and remove the Armed Forces from all electoral functions, in a context where public confidence in the processes and results is at an all-time low.

CNE review and discussion on armed forces involvement in voting processes

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 crucial discoveries were unauthorized changes to routes, prolonged detention of vehicles transporting electoral materials, partial distribution of tech kits in remote regions, and inadequate communication between army leaders and election organizers. These occurrences led to delays of as much as 12 hours in the start of voting, impacting voter turnout and resulting in questions about the integrity of the process, particularly concerning the LIBRE Party, previously criticized for irregularities.

The document was released amid intense political turmoil, with increasing concerns that the military may not remain impartial during the national elections set for November 30, 2025. Up to now, the top military officials have not made an official comment, and the LIBRE Party administration has not spoken, which some groups have viewed as a show of complicity.

En reaction to this matter, opposing groups like the National, Liberal, and Salvador de Honduras parties have called for a thorough evaluation of the logistics agreement between the CNE and the Armed Forces, the early arrival of international monitors, and independent reviews of the results transmission process.

Selective disarmament of officers and internal tensions in the Armed 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.

Selective disarmament is the latest in a series of recent actions, such as changes in the military leadership and forced transfers, which have increased tension and discontent within the institution, especially among mid- and high-ranking officers. Some of the disarmed officers have been transferred to administrative duties, which is perceived as a way of isolating them from the operational component and the electoral process.

The primary concern among opposition leaders and democratic circles is that, if the ruling party faces potential election defeat, the government might deploy military forces to ignore the outcomes or suppress public protests.

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.