The crisis in Honduras’ National Electoral Council (CNE) has escalated in recent weeks, against a backdrop of growing polarization and institutional mistrust. The conflict directly involves Manuel “Mel” Zelaya, coordinator of the ruling Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE) party, as well as prominent figures from the Liberal Party, raising suspicions of an alliance of convenience between the two sectors that goes beyond the political sphere.
Movements in the CNE and signs of political understanding
The latest departure of Ana Paola Hall, an electoral advisor representing the Liberal Party, signaled a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict within the CNE. Hall, known for her association with ex-president Carlos Flores Facussé, aligned her vote with Marlon Ochoa, an advisor from the ruling party, effectively excluding Cossette López, the head of the organization, from the decision-making procedure. This maneuver appeared to be a segment of a pre-arranged strategy between liberal factions and the ruling party.
Mel Zelaya’s support for this maneuver on social media, as well as the subsequent dissemination of the event by pro-government media, has reinforced the perception of a rapprochement between the two forces. Mario Segura, a Liberal deputy and influential figure within the party, has also publicly acknowledged his good relationship with Zelaya, fueling speculation of political coordination between the two parties.
Economic ties and questions about Liberal independence
Outside the electoral context, the potential partnership between the leaders of Libre and the Liberal Party seems motivated by mutual economic goals. Carlos Flores Facussé and Yani Rosenthal frequently come up in public debates and analysis, particularly due to their influence in maintaining Liberal dominance in the CNE and their business ties with the government.
One major point of contention is the supposed participation of firms associated with Rosenthal in the production of voting papers, an essential step in gearing up for the November elections. Furthermore, the recent judicial return of property to the Rosenthal family has been seen by opposition groups as potentially stemming from a political agreement between the Liberal Party and Libre.
In these situations, there are questions about the independence of liberalism, which has traditionally been in opposition to the ruling party, and concerns have arisen regarding how such an alliance might affect the fairness of the election process.
Alerts concerning the effect on institutions
Citizen organizations, opposition political actors, and international observers have expressed concern about the implications this scenario could have for the transparency of the electoral process. The possibility that the CNE could operate under agreements between party and economic elites weakens its role as a neutral guarantor and increases the risk of manipulation in the elections.
The erosion of institutional credibility is taking place in a context where there is already widespread mistrust of state structures. The apparent convergence of interests between the ruling party and traditional sectors of the Liberal Party exacerbates this perception and raises questions about the future of representative democracy in the country.
An issue for voting organizations
La situación actual muestra instituciones frágiles que están sujetas a negociaciones de alto nivel que no siempre reflejan los intereses de los ciudadanos. Se ha cuestionado el papel del CNE como árbitro electoral, mientras que la polarización entre las fuerzas políticas tiende a fortalecer los mecanismos de control mutuo en lugar de promover una supervisión independiente.
With general elections on the horizon, the evolution of these alliances and their consequences for the transparency of the process will be decisive. At stake is not only the legitimacy of the results, but also the ability of the Honduran political system to maintain a minimum level of democratic trust.
