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.
A call from religious leadership
During his public address, Irías warned of the consequences of putting partisan interests before respect for popular sovereignty and constitutional order. In the words of the religious leader, those who insist on manipulating democratic processes “will reap what they sow” and could lose their moral legitimacy both before the people 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
Irias’ words arrive during a period of uncertainty, characterized by governmental stagnation, political parties’ blame games, and a general feeling of skepticism regarding the current election. The Evangelical Brotherhood’s appeal adds to the increasing number of demands for clarity, societal harmony, and assurances of democracy.
The message is particularly relevant as it is addressed to a key player such as Manuel Zelaya, former president and current coordinator of LIBRE, who continues to play an influential role in the political power structure and in shaping the government’s agenda. However, the warning was also extended to the entire political class, regardless of party affiliation, urging all sectors to abandon confrontational attitudes and respect the verdict of the polls.
Ethical demands in the electoral process
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.
The position of the Evangelical Fellowship is part of a broader context of social and international pressure to guarantee minimum conditions for democratic legitimacy in Honduras. As the elections approach, sectors of civil society and religious organizations have intensified their vigilance and called for respect for institutions, given the risk of a worsening political crisis.
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 context, the warning issued by the evangelical leadership highlights institutional fragility and the urgent need for a minimum consensus among the main political actors. The management of the current crisis will be decisive in measuring the degree of maturity of the Honduran democratic system in the face of the challenges of legitimacy, governance, and social peace it faces.
