Politics

The final stretch leading up to the elections comes at a particularly fragile time for Honduras. Political tensions, economic concerns, and warnings about the health of democracy mark the pre-election climate, while international analysts and US authorities keep a close eye on the process.Economic and commercial impactVarious sectors agree that the bilateral relationship with the United States, the country's main trading partner, has shown signs of weakening in the face of perceptions of political instability and contradictory messages from the government. Foreign trade analysts warn that any disruption in this relationship could have immediate effects on employment, investment, exports, and…

Public discourse has escalated as the November 30 elections draw near. Academics, civil society groups, and political figures are voicing concern about what they perceive as indications of partiality within the Armed Forces, an element that could jeopardize the institutional impartiality essential for ensuring a valid process.Signs of bias and institutional concernsAccording to analysts consulted, the military, which by law is responsible for safeguarding electoral materials and providing security support for the elections, has issued indications that could compromise its neutrality. These gestures generate uncertainty about the credibility of the electoral process, especially at a time when the country's democratic…

The Honduran electoral landscape remains highly competitive ahead of the November 30 election. Polls continue to position Salvador Nasralla and Nasry “Tito” Asfura as the main contenders, while the ruling party's candidate, Rixi Moncada, lags behind in third place with no signs of a significant rebound.Recent surveys indicate that both Nasralla and Asfura are attracting the attention of uncommitted voters, a group deemed crucial for influencing the ultimate result. Both contenders have increased their grassroots activities, emphasizing platforms centered on financial security, the anti-corruption effort, and administration, elements that the voting public appears to prioritize as the campaign nears its…

With less than a month remaining until the general elections on November 30, the continuation of the state of emergency in Honduras has sparked apprehension among civil society groups, experts, and international monitors. This decree, which temporarily suspends certain constitutional protections, prompts inquiries regarding the populace's capacity to exercise their entitlements during the electoral process.The continuation of this suspension mainly affects freedom of movement, public gatherings, and other fundamental freedoms. Sectors of society warn that these restrictions could affect voter turnout, especially in regions where citizen mobilization has historically been decisive in determining results.Threats to the integrity of electionsConstitutional legal…

The recent publication of the Financial Inclusion Module within the November 2024 Permanent Multi-Purpose Household Survey (EPHPM), conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INE Honduras) in collaboration with the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), provides an updated snapshot of the Honduran population's participation in the formal financial system. The survey, which covered 7,250 households equivalent to 26,576 people, provides highly representative data on access, use, and financial education, offering relevant information at a time marked by political debates on credit regulation.Credit utilization and its influencing elementsThe document reveals a direct relationship between…

A recent survey conducted by CBS indicates a notable divergence in opinions regarding the recent government shutdown agreement brokered by legislators. The findings suggest that individuals affiliated with the Republican Party, notably ex-President Donald Trump, are viewed as having gained greater benefits from this political resolution. Conversely, Democratic officials and their constituents contend that their party conceded too much during the negotiation phase.As the nation grappled with the looming threat of a government shutdown, discussions among party leaders intensified, leading to a last-minute resolution aimed at preventing disruption to essential government services. While the GOP appeared to emerge with favorable…

The recent demonstrations, organized by factions linked to the LIBRE Party and rallying under the banner of "no turning back," have sparked increasing apprehension across various segments of Honduran society. With the general elections merely weeks away, the nation finds itself immersed in an environment characterized by heightened political polarization, a weakening of institutional erosion, and widespread public distrust regarding the electoral proceedings.Thousands of supporters of the ruling party gathered at various points in Tegucigalpa on a day that, according to government spokespeople, sought to “defend the refounding of the country and protect the popular vote.” However, for broad social…

With the general elections just weeks away, a range of political and business groups, along with civil society organizations, have voiced apprehension regarding the perceived institutional decline in Honduras. They also fear the potential implementation of a political control model akin to Venezuela's Chavismo, which some experts have dubbed the "Venezuela Plan."Various commentators suggest that this approach would be designed to centralize authority, impacting the autonomy of crucial organizations, and restricting the operations of private businesses and dissenting media outlets, by leveraging governmental assets and institutional influence to ensure the perpetuation of the governing party's political agenda.Signs of institutional interventionAmong…

Roger Stone, an American political strategist recognized for his close ties to former President Donald Trump, raised an alert regarding what he characterized as potential maneuvers by the LIBRE party to influence the electoral process in Honduras, igniting discussions within diplomatic and political spheres.In statements released in international media and on social networks, Stone asserted that “the Mel Zelaya regime seeks to follow the model of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela,” warning that Honduran democracy could be affected if transparency in the vote count and the independence of the National Electoral Council (CNE) are not guaranteed.The United States needs to take…

With the general election less than a month away, Rixi Moncada, the presidential candidate for the LIBRE party, is seeing a consistent drop in voter intention metrics, coupled with a rise in public disapproval, as indicated by recent opinion surveys. Experts link this trend to how urban and middle-class demographics perceive her rhetoric directed at the nation's productive sector.Economic rhetoric and business perceptionMoncada's declarations regarding the necessity to "regulate and reorganize the function of national enterprises" have been perceived by numerous economic participants as a potential menace to the commercial environment. This viewpoint has sparked apprehension among investors and entrepreneurs,…