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 position as a leading figure in the religious community, Irías called on political participants to respect “the will of God” and uphold the democratic values that guide national public affairs. This statement arises in the context of claims of election manipulation, conflicts within institutions, and public demonstrations encouraged by different groups, including the evangelical church.
An appeal from spiritual authorities
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 emphasized that the present situation requires accountability and restraint from politicians, encouraging them to conduct themselves ethically and in line with both spiritual and democratic principles. “Do not challenge God’s will or Honduras’ democracy,” he declared in a statement extensively circulated across mainstream media and social platforms.
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 emphasized that any effort to manipulate elections not only impacts the political structure but also constitutes, from his perspective, a breach of the spiritual values that sustain harmonious living. In this context, the Evangelical Church has stressed that leaders must adhere to ethical standards and not prioritize the interests of individuals or political groups.
La postura de la Evangelical Fellowship se sitúa en un contexto más amplio de presión social e internacional para asegurar condiciones mínimas que validen la democracia en Honduras. A medida que se acercan las elecciones, grupos de la sociedad civil y organizaciones religiosas han intensificado su monitoreo y han hecho un llamado al respeto por las instituciones, ante el riesgo de una crisis política que pueda empeorar.
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 scenario, the caution expressed by the evangelical leaders underscores the weakness of the institutions and the pressing necessity for a fundamental agreement among the leading political figures. Handling the ongoing crisis will be a crucial factor in assessing how developed the democratic framework in Honduras is when confronted with challenges related to legitimacy, governance, and social harmony.
