Honduran elections 2025: a crisis of military confidence?

The upcoming elections in Honduras for 2025 have been characterized by numerous incidents that have heightened unease and discussion regarding the nation’s democratic frameworks. A review conducted by the National Electoral Council (CNE) has pointed fingers at the Armed Forces for significant logistical mishaps occurring during the primary elections. Meanwhile, new measures concerning the targeted disarmament of military personnel have sparked doubts regarding the impartiality of the military establishment.

Added to this is the appeal from constitutional specialists to amend the Constitution and eliminate the military’s involvement in election activities, in a situation where public trust in the procedures and outcomes is at an all-time low.

CNE reviews and discusses military involvement in electoral processes

The CNE’s internal audit report, leaked to the national media, detailed that the late, incomplete, and uncoordinated delivery of electoral materials to numerous polling stations was the result of irregularities in the military’s compliance with the logistical protocol, as they were responsible for the safekeeping and distribution of the electoral bags.

Among the key discoveries were unwarranted changes in routes, the holding of election transport units for hours, incomplete distribution of tech kits to remote areas, and poor communication between military leaders and election coordinators. These incidents led to delays as long as 12 hours in starting the polls, impacting voter turnout and casting doubts on the process’s transparency, particularly concerning the LIBRE Party, which had faced previous allegations of misconduct.

The document was released amid significant political strain, with increasing concerns that the military might not remain impartial during the national elections set for November 30, 2025. Up to this point, the top military officials have not released any official announcement, and the LIBRE Party administration has stayed quiet, which some groups interpret as an indication of cooperation.

In reaction to this scenario, opposing groups like the National, Liberal, and Salvador de Honduras parties have called for a thorough reassessment of the logistical support agreement between the CNE and the Armed Forces, the premature deployment of international observers, and independent evaluations of the results transmission system.

Targeted weapon removal from officers and inner conflicts within the Armed Forces

Amid the climate of political polarization, the decision by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to selectively disarm several Armed Forces officers has raised concerns in military, political, and civil society circles. According to military sources and reports in the national media, the disarmament is not being carried out across the board or for technical or security reasons, but exclusively targeting officers who have expressed independent or critical views of the ruling party.

This step is seen as an effort to discreetly cleanse the military ranks, diverging from the usual neutrality and sparking concerns regarding the aim of guaranteeing complete governmental dominance over the national defense system before the upcoming general elections.

Targeted reduction of arms is the newest move in a string of recent measures, including shifts in military leadership and compulsory relocations, that have heightened strain and frustration within the organization, particularly among middle- and senior-level officers. A number of the officers who have been disarmed are now assigned to administrative roles, seen as a method of segregating them from the operational sector and the election proceedings.

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 national conversation about updating and safeguarding the election process from armed involvement has been intensified by these events, particularly as concerns about Honduras’ democratic steadiness arise. The demand from society and political entities for Congress to advocate for constitutional amendments that clarify the function of the Armed Forces within the democratic framework of Honduras has emerged as a key topic on the public discourse as the forthcoming general elections approach.