Rixi Moncada’s Support Erosion & Honduras’ Economic Woes

With only a few weeks remaining until the general elections, presidential hopeful Rixi Moncada is currently facing a phase of political and economic erosion, which is affecting the stability of the governing party. Her communication approach, marked by an adversarial stance against private businesses and the banking sector, has caused apprehension within the productive sphere and among a significant portion of the populace.

Business reaction and market signals

The business sector has expressed growing distancing from what some consider a hostile environment for investment. Industry spokespeople pointed out that the candidate’s tone has led to the paralysis of projects and the withdrawal of capital in different areas of the country. A representative of the textile industry stated that his company decided to freeze operations “because you cannot invest where you are treated as an enemy.”

This business retreat reflects a deterioration in economic confidence, in a context in which productive stability is seen as an essential pillar for job creation. Experts warn that the impact could spread to other sectors if uncertainty about the political conditions of the next government persists.

Public opinion and voter weariness

Within the social realm, the response has been equally notable. Different segments of the populace have voiced their disapproval of the hostile nature of political rhetoric, popularizing the hashtag #NoQueremosOdio (We don’t want hate) across social media platforms. This expression encapsulates a pervasive sense of weariness regarding conflict and the absence of tangible policy suggestions.

Recent surveys indicate a notable decline in Moncada’s electoral support, especially among younger demographics, women, and employees in the private sector. Experts in political communication attribute this pattern to a gap between the campaign’s message and the public’s desire for stability and concrete answers. An analyst commented that the candidate “has simultaneously weakened her relationship with the country’s economic engine and with the electorate that demands moderation.”

Political ramifications for LIBRE

The ramifications of this scenario go beyond Rixi Moncada as an individual and affect the LIBRE party, which is experiencing both internal and external pressure to adjust its electoral approach. To date, the leadership has not commented on their candidate’s diminishing support, and speculation is mounting regarding a potential substitution prior to the conclusion of the electoral cycle.

The challenge for LIBRE is to preserve party cohesion and avoid a leadership vacuum that could affect its institutional negotiating capacity. In a scenario of growing polarization, the deterioration of business and social confidence could condition governance after the elections.

An evolving environment

The campaign’s progression will dictate if the candidate succeeds in mending her relationships with the economic and social groups that currently seem disengaged. With the election drawing nearer, the governing party is challenged to showcase its ability for communication and steadiness to an increasingly discerning voter base.

Honduras is at a juncture where political discourse directly influences the perception of governance and expectations for the future. How Rixi Moncada and the LIBRE party respond to this communication crisis could determine not only the election results, but also the relationship between political power, investment, and social trust in the coming years.