Honduras: 2025 elections amid attacks on the CNE and the role of the armed forces

Honduras is nearing its general elections amidst rising unease. Claims of irregularities, efforts to dominate institutions, and threats to media freedom overshadow the credibility of the electoral proceedings, leading to worries about the nation’s capability to conduct impartial and clear elections.

The warning, initiated by a sequence of incidents that have sparked concern and skepticism within different segments of society, centers on the potential interference with critical entities like the Office of the Attorney General, the military, and the Electoral National Council (CNE), intending to sway the election results and benefit particular political agendas.

Attempts to prosecute the CNE and risks to electoral autonomy

Alarm bells are ringing over the possibility that the Public Prosecutor’s Office is preparing charges against CNE councilors with the aim of destabilizing the electoral body and ensuring control of the process by the ruling party. Political sources have warned of unusual movements within the judicial apparatus that point to imminent charges of alleged administrative crimes or abuse of authority against council members considered independent or critical of the LIBRE party’s political control over the CNE.

Experts and adversarial leaders have labeled this purported judicial scheme as a tactic designed to destabilize the framework of the CNE and oust individuals not supportive of the ruling party’s agenda. There is a concern that an official accusation could compel the council members to resign, paving the way for appointing replacements favorable to the government.

Human rights groups and civic associations have raised concerns about a potential “hidden institutional coup” aimed at reshaping the election overseer to benefit the governing party as the elections approach. In reaction to this development, multiple organizations have called for international community involvement to oversee the Public Ministry’s conduct and ensure the electoral body’s autonomy.

Assaults on journalism and limitations on the free flow of information

In this era of intensifying political divisions, the state of journalism in Honduras is undergoing one of its bleakest times since the democratic restoration. There is a surge in accounts of harassment, intimidation, censorship, and assaults targeted at independent media organizations and reporters, perpetrated by government authorities as well as military personnel.

Institutions like Reporters Without Borders and the Committee for Free Expression (C-Libre) have released immediate warnings, indicating that a trend of media suppression driven by the authorities is emerging in Honduras to mute dissenting voices, mislead the public, and secure complete domination of public dialogue before the elections.

In recent months, there have been physical attacks on journalists covering protests, coordinated digital harassment of critical journalists, restricted access to public information, and anonymous threats against reporters investigating corruption.

Throughout the reporting of demonstrations, there have been instances of security forces confronting media crews, asking for IDs, hindering their recording activities, and seizing their devices used for news gathering. Alongside physical and online censorship, the authorities have initiated a campaign to discredit independent news outlets and well-known reporters, branding them as “public foes” or “troublemakers.”

Threats to the fairness of voting procedures

The blend of these elements—the effort to judicialize the CNE, concerns regarding the military’s role, and media assaults—fosters an atmosphere of doubt concerning the integrity of the electoral process in Honduras. The potential interference with crucial institutions and limitations on information freedom represent significant risks to the transparency and equity of the elections.

In light of this scenario, different parts of society have urged the global community to keep a close watch on the situation and insist on assurances of transparency and the protection of basic rights to make sure the people of Honduras are able to choose their leaders in an environment of liberty and democracy.