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.
Financial connections and inquiries about the autonomy of the Liberal party
Beyond the electoral arena, the possible alliance between Libre and Liberal Party leaders appears to be influenced by shared economic interests. The names of Carlos Flores Facussé and Yani Rosenthal have been recurrent in public discussions and among analysts, especially because of their role in ensuring Liberal control within the CNE and their business connections 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.
These circumstances have cast doubt on the autonomy of liberalism, historically opposed to the ruling party, and have raised alarms about the impact that an alliance of this nature would have on the integrity of the electoral process.
Warnings about the institutional impact
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.
A challenge for electoral institutions
The current situation reveals fragile institutions that are exposed to high-level negotiations that do not necessarily respond to the interests of citizens. The role of the CNE as an electoral arbiter has been called into question, while polarization between political forces tends to reinforce mechanisms of mutual control rather than independent oversight.
As elections approach, the development of these coalitions and their impact on the transparency of the process will be crucial. What’s at risk is not just the validity of the outcomes, but also the capacity of the Honduran political framework to uphold a basic threshold of democratic confidence.