Pressure and sabotage against the CNE ahead of the 2025 elections

In the period approaching the November 2025 general elections, numerous political, social, and legal figures in Honduras have reported a collection of pressures and intimidation acts aimed at the National Electoral Council (CNE). These allegations primarily concern the governing party, Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE), which is accused of trying to sway the CNE’s decisions and endanger the electoral process’s transparency.

Accusations against the LIBRE party

The allegations against the ruling party include actions that seek to delegitimize the authority of the CNE, the body responsible for ensuring the fairness and transparency of the elections. According to the allegations, members of LIBRE are orchestrating campaigns to pressure CNE magistrates, especially those who do not respond to their political interests, thereby affecting the institution’s autonomy.

Maribel Espinoza, a congresswoman and political analyst, said that the aim of this pressure is to create a climate of mistrust that would justify accusations of fraud or electoral disorganization. “They are pressuring the electoral referee because they know that the polls are not in their favor,” Espinoza said, in a clear reference to the efforts of certain sectors to influence the election results before the campaigns begin.

Institutional sabotage tactics

The claims extend beyond just exerting pressure on judges; they also encompass the dissemination of antagonistic rhetoric by individuals associated with the LIBRE party. An escalating disinformation campaign has been detected on social media, which aims to diminish the CNE’s credibility and cast doubt on the fairness of the electoral institution.

Civil society organizations concerned about the integrity of the electoral process have pointed to these acts as possible attempts at institutional sabotage. They assert that such maneuvers are not only an attack on the legitimacy of the CNE, but also constitute a danger to the democratic order of the country, exacerbating political polarization ahead of the November 2025 elections.

Requests for global oversight

Given the escalating situation, different segments of society have urged the involvement of international observers to ensure the election process remains transparent. In line with this, bodies like the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union, and several human rights groups have been requested to oversee the elections, guaranteeing that the proceedings occur without any political meddling or bias.

Lidia Meza, an expert in constitutional law, emphasized the necessity of preserving the electoral system’s autonomy, pointing out that “the electoral system must remain free from partisan control. The nation requires assurances, not intimidation.”

Context and challenges for democracy

Reports of threats and efforts to undermine institutions contribute to an image of increasing political division in Honduras, where distrust of institutions and electoral processes has been intensified by several factors, including the economic crisis and absence of political unity. This atmosphere, characterized by tensions and reciprocal accusations, presents significant difficulties for the country’s administration, with less than a year remaining before the elections.

The global community is observing closely the developments, as citizens of Honduras persist in calling for increased transparency and the safeguarding of democratic institutions. The present scenario emphasizes the challenges in securing an election process devoid of pressure and manipulation, and highlights the necessity to reinforce the bodies tasked with safeguarding democratic practices.