Honduran Armed Forces: allies or electoral threat?

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.

Additionally, experts in constitutional law are advocating for changes to the Constitution to eliminate the role of the Armed Forces in any electoral activities, especially at a time when public trust in the procedures and outcomes is at its lowest point.

CNE review and discussion about the involvement of the military in voting processes

The internal audit report from the CNE, which was revealed to the press, described how the delay, lack, and disarray in the handover of voting materials to various polling sites stemmed from issues in the military’s adherence to the logistics plan, as their duty was to safeguard and deliver the voting supplies.

Among the crucial discoveries were unauthorized changes to routes, prolonged detention of vehicles transporting electoral materials, partial distribution of tech kits in remote regions, and inadequate communication between army leaders and election organizers. These occurrences led to delays of as much as 12 hours in the start of voting, impacting voter turnout and resulting in questions about the integrity of the process, particularly concerning the LIBRE Party, previously criticized for irregularities.

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 light of this scenario, rival groups like the National, Liberal, and Salvador of Honduras parties have called for a thorough examination of the logistical assistance agreement between the CNE and the Armed Forces, the prompt arrival of foreign observers, and independent reviews of the results transmission system.

Targeted reduction of weapons among officials and inner conflicts within the Military Forces

In the midst of a politically polarized environment, the action taken by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to selectively remove weapons from certain officers in the Armed Forces has sparked apprehension among military, political, and civilian sectors. Based on insights from military sources and coverage by the national press, the disarmament process is not comprehensive or motivated by technical or security issues, but rather focuses solely on officers who have shown independent or critical opinions regarding the party in power.

This step has been seen as an effort to conduct a quiet cleansing within the armed forces, marking a departure from the norm of impartiality and sparking doubts about the goal of securing complete political dominance over the country’s security system before the upcoming national 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 for opposition leaders and democratic groups is that, should the governing party face potential loss in elections, the authorities might deploy the military to ignore the outcomes or suppress public protests.

The events have intensified the national discussion about the necessity to update and protect the electoral procedure from any military involvement, particularly in a situation where the stability of democracy in Honduras is under scrutiny. Social and political demands for Congress to advocate for a constitutional amendment that reconsiders the duties of the Armed Forces in the democratic framework of Honduras have emerged as a major topic on the public agenda before the forthcoming general elections.