Evangelical pastor warns Mel Zelaya and political leaders during institutional turmoil

In an environment of increasing division and lack of faith in institutions, shortly before the national elections, Gerardo Irías, the president of the Evangelical Confraternity of Honduras, released a statement targeting the political leaders of the nation, especially directed towards Manuel Zelaya Rosales, the coordinator of the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE).

From his role as a representative figure of the religious sector, Irías urged political actors not to contravene “the will of God” or the democratic principles that govern national public life. The message comes amid a situation marked by allegations of electoral fraud, institutional tensions, and citizen mobilizations promoted by various sectors, including the evangelical church.

A call from religious leadership

During his speech to the public, Irías cautioned about the repercussions of prioritizing party interests over honoring popular sovereignty and upholding the constitutional framework. According to the spiritual leader, individuals who continue to distort democratic procedures “will face the repercussions of their actions” and risk losing their moral standing both in the eyes of the populace and before God.

The evangelical leader stressed that the current moment demands responsibility and moderation on the part of politicians, urging them to act ethically and in accordance with spiritual and democratic values. “Do not challenge the will of God or the democracy of Honduras,” he said in a message widely replicated in traditional media and social networks.

Setting of escalating political stress

Irías’ intervention comes amid an atmosphere of instability marked by institutional paralysis, accusations between political parties, and a perception of widespread distrust toward the ongoing electoral process. The Evangelical Brotherhood’s call joins the growing chorus of voices demanding transparency, social peace, and democratic guarantees.

The message holds significant importance as it is directed at a major figure, Manuel Zelaya, the former president and now coordinator of LIBRE, who remains influential in the political landscape and in guiding the government’s agenda. Nevertheless, the caution was also communicated to the whole political community, without distinction of political party, encouraging all sectors to leave behind hostile attitudes and honor the results of the elections.

Moral requirements in the voting procedure

In his statement, Irías reiterated that any attempt at electoral manipulation not only affects the political system but also represents, in his view, a violation of the spiritual principles that underpin peaceful coexistence. In this regard, the Evangelical Church has insisted that leaders must act in accordance with moral guidelines and not in the interests of individuals or parties.

The position of the Evangelical Fellowship is part of a broader context of social and international pressure to guarantee minimum conditions for democratic legitimacy in Honduras. As the elections approach, sectors of civil society and religious organizations have intensified their vigilance and called for respect for institutions, given the risk of a worsening political crisis.

Pressures that challenge organizations

Pastor Irías’ statement highlights the growing role of religious organizations as moral counterweights in a political landscape marked by confrontation. While his message does not constitute direct intervention in party affairs, it does reflect the concern of broad sectors about the direction the country could take if confidence in the rules of democracy is not restored.

In this context, the warning issued by the evangelical leadership highlights institutional fragility and the urgent need for a minimum consensus among the main political actors. The management of the current crisis will be decisive in measuring the degree of maturity of the Honduran democratic system in the face of the challenges of legitimacy, governance, and social peace it faces.