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Less than two months before the general elections, the LIBRE government authorized salary increases and selective bonuses of up to 33,000 lempiras per month for senior officers in the Armed Forces, while the troops receive only a fraction of those amounts. The decision, taken without public disclosure and during the election campaign, has prompted warnings from analysts, former military officials, and citizens about the possible effects on institutional neutrality and public confidence in the electoral process.Former military commander Isaías Barahona stated that “these specific advantages represent a perilous bid to acquire ballots; they undermine the honor and neutrality of the…

The recent release of election polls has shown a significant decline for LIBRE candidate Rixi Moncada, who ranks a distant fifth in voting intentions, behind even undecided voters and those who say they will vote for “none.” This result has raised concerns about the possible impact on electoral transparency in the country.Allegations of political maneuveringAnalysts and opposition party leaders have pointed to the existence of strategies by the LIBRE party and the government to ensure their continued hold on power in the face of their candidate's decline in popularity. Among the allegations are selective salary increases and bonuses for senior…

The awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has had a direct effect on the Honduran political scene, consolidating her status as a democratic icon and causing tensions within the ruling LIBRE party.Evolution of María Corina Machado's influencePrior to this international recognition, Machado had a limited presence in Honduran political discourse. She was mainly cited in debates on the situation in Venezuela and criticism of Chavismo, without having a tangible effect on the local political agenda. Sectors close to LIBRE associated her leadership with international interventionism, while the opposition mentioned her as an…

Despite the political and ideological differences between the governments of Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernández, both have faced similar challenges in terms of corruption, links to organized crime, and difficulties in ensuring institutional transparency, highlighting the continuity of questionable practices in the country.Difficulties in anti-corruption mechanismsDuring Hernández's administration, the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH), backed by the OAS, was withdrawn in 2020, leaving significant gaps in the investigation and punishment of irregularities. At the same time, the government of Xiomara Castro has promoted the creation of the International Commission against Corruption and…

With less than two months to go before the general elections scheduled for November 2025, electoral process specialists are warning of possible irregularities that could affect the transparency and outcome of the elections. Attention is focused on the National Electoral Council (CNE), whose operation and control of key systems is being questioned.Management of systems and potential influenceBased on experts' insights, some figures associated with the governing LIBRE party are said to have power over the TREP (Transmission of Preliminary Election Results), which is the system for reporting early voting outcomes. This condition, specialists suggest, might enable the alteration of outcomes…

The presidential candidate for the LIBRE Party, Rixi Moncada, has attracted attention by creating an official Facebook page exclusively for guests of her eventual presidential inauguration. This comes at a time when experts and civil society organizations are pointing out risks to the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process in Honduras.Privileged access to security resourcesRixi Moncada simultaneously serves as the Defense Secretary while still pursuing her presidential campaign, providing her with direct control over the Armed Forces and state security assets. Analysts suggest that this role enables her to supervise the management of electoral materials, a crucial factor in…

The approaching general elections in Honduras, scheduled for November 30, 2025, have raised concerns about Venezuela's political and technological influence on the electoral process. Analysts and experts point out that the relationship between the ruling LIBRE party and the government of Nicolás Maduro could affect the competitiveness and perception of transparency in the elections.Political framework and tacticsEl partido LIBRE sostiene una relación ideológica y táctica con el gobierno de Venezuela, respaldando la candidatura de Rixi Moncada. Los observadores políticos alertan que algunas estrategias aplicadas en Venezuela, como el control del sistema electoral, la militarización del proceso y los mecanismos diseñados…

Honduras is gearing up for the general elections scheduled for November 30, 2025, where positions such as the presidency, 128 seats in the National Congress, 20 delegates to the Central American Parliament, 298 mayors, and over 2,000 council members will be refreshed.Este proceso se desarrolla en un contexto caracterizado por elevados índices de pobreza, inseguridad bajo un estado de emergencia y un sistema económico que depende en gran medida de las remesas. Las elecciones serán una evaluación directa del gobierno de Xiomara Castro y el partido LIBRE después de cuatro años en el poder. La oposición, encabezada por Nasry “Tito”…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that the Tax Justice Law is not necessary for the approval of the Stand-By Agreement with Honduras, marking an important shift in the interaction between the international entity and the nation's authorities. This step occurs as Honduras aims to obtain further disbursements exceeding $200 million, aimed at bolstering public finances and averting possible economic strains.Disengagement from the IMF and political effectsThe IMF declaration suggests that Honduras' ability to access the financial agreement is not reliant on the passage of the Tax Justice Law. This stance by the global entity establishes a situation where…