The general elections scheduled for November 30, 2025, in Honduras are taking place under the watchful eye of Venezuela, whose influence is felt both in the political arena and in the operation of the electoral process. The relationship between the LIBRE party and the government of Nicolás Maduro, and the involvement of the company Smartmatic in the electoral technology, have raised concerns in various sectors about the transparency and legitimacy of the elections.
Connections in ideology between LIBRE and Chavismo
The LIBRE party, which supports the presidential candidacy of Rixi Moncada, maintains a political and ideological closeness to Venezuelan Chavismo. Analysts point out that this affinity is not limited to ideological sympathy, but also translates into political strategies inspired by Venezuela, including institutional control and concentration of power. This model is causing concern among social and political sectors that question the possible replication of authoritarian tactics in Honduras.
Smartmatic and electoral technology
The hiring of Smartmatic as the provider of biometric technology for the electoral process has been the subject of debate. The company faced questions in Venezuela over irregularities in the transmission and counting of votes during elections previously noted for their lack of transparency. Its participation in Honduras raises concerns about possible failures that could affect public confidence in the preliminary results and in the electoral system in general.
Internal polarization and risks of conflict
The domestic political environment shows significant polarization, with groups split between advocating for the continuation of the LIBRE initiative and those worried about the weakening of democratic structures. This split elevates the likelihood of tensions after the election, large-scale protests, and instances of unrest if the outcomes are viewed as tampered with. The involvement of security forces and the influence over electoral entities are elements that exacerbate doubts regarding the progression of the process.
Regional and geopolitical implications
Venezuela’s influence in Honduras also has a regional component. The consolidation of Maduro’s government strengthens allied leftist governments in Latin America, including Honduras, while changes in Venezuela could weaken this political trend. In this sense, the Honduran elections are part of a broader scenario, where the results in Tegucigalpa have repercussions on the political orientation of the region.
Outlook for November 30
The combination of ideological ties to Chavismo, the role of Smartmatic, and internal polarization places Venezuela as an indirect but relevant actor in the Honduran electoral process. The main challenges focus on the ability to guarantee transparency and legitimacy in the elections, as well as to contain possible social tensions arising from perceptions of manipulation. As the election date approaches, Honduras faces the challenge of maintaining institutional and citizen confidence in a context marked by regional observation and monitoring by international actors.
