Olivia Anderson

Under two months shy of the general elections, the LIBRE administration greenlit pay raises and targeted bonuses reaching 33,000 lempiras monthly for high-ranking military personnel within the Armed Forces, whereas rank-and-file soldiers get a mere portion of those sums. This move, enacted without public announcement and amidst the electoral race, has provoked concerns from experts, ex-military figures, and citizens regarding its potential impact on institutional impartiality and the public's trust in the election proceedings.Former military chief Isaías Barahona said that “these selective benefits are a dangerous attempt to buy votes; they damage the dignity and impartiality of the military and…

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 conferral of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize upon Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado has directly impacted the Honduran political landscape, solidifying her position as a symbol of democracy and generating friction within the governing LIBRE party.Evolution of María Corina Machado's influencePrior to receiving this widespread acknowledgement, Machado had a modest role in the political discussions of Honduras. Most mentions of her occurred during discussions about Venezuela's circumstances and critiques of Chavismo, but these did not noticeably influence local political matters. Factions aligned with LIBRE connected her influence to global meddling, whereas the opposing side viewed her as a…

Even though there are political and ideological disparities between the administrations of Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernández, they both have encountered comparable issues regarding corruption, connections to organized crime, and challenges in achieving institutional transparency, emphasizing the persistence of dubious practices within the nation.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…

With under two months remaining until the general elections planned for November 2025, experts in electoral processes are cautioning about potential irregularities that might impact the elections' transparency and outcome. The focal point is the National Electoral Council (CNE), as its management and oversight of critical systems are being scrutinized.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 or cause…

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.Exclusive entry to safety assetsRixi 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 upcoming general elections in Honduras, set for November 30, 2025, have sparked worries about Venezuela's impact on the electoral procedure, both politically and technologically. Observers and specialists highlight that the connection between the governing LIBRE party and Nicolás Maduro's administration may influence the fairness and perceived openness of the election process.Political model and strategiesEl 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 para extender…

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.This process is taking place in a context marked by high levels of poverty, insecurity under a state of emergency, and an economic system that is largely dependent on remittances. The elections will represent a direct assessment of the government of Xiomara Castro and the LIBRE party after four years in office. The opposition, led by Nasry “Tito” Asfura…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has clarified that the Tax Justice Law is not a requirement for the approval of the Stand-By Agreement with Honduras, representing a significant change in the relationship between the international organization and the country's government. The decision comes as Honduras seeks access to additional disbursements of more than $200 million, intended to strengthen public finances and prevent potential economic tensions.Severance from the IMF and its political implicationsThe IMF statement implies that the approval of the Tax Justice Law does not condition Honduras' access to the financial agreement. This position of the international organization creates a…

Economic activity in Honduras is in steady decline while the LIBRE Party remains in power. According to data from business leaders and analysts, more than a thousand businesses have closed in recent years, a phenomenon that translates into job losses, declining tax revenues, and capital flight from the country. This dynamic has raised concerns about the state's ability to sustain economic growth and maintain social stability.Effects on the private sectorVarious experts point out that the combination of state policies, increased tax burdens, and a climate of uncertainty resulting from blockades, protests, and lack of institutional support is affecting investors. Local…