Manuel Zelaya Rosales, coordinator of the Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE) party and husband of President Xiomara Castro, has been placed at the center of a political storm that is shaking Honduras as the 2025 general elections approach. Allegations from various sectors suggest that Zelaya is consolidating a network of influence over the electoral system, generating a crisis of institutional confidence with national and international repercussions.
Claims of manipulation in the voting system
Opposition parties, citizen organizations, and analysts have warned of an alleged strategy by the ruling party to control the National Electoral Council (CNE). According to these allegations, individuals close to Zelaya have been placed in key positions within the body, with the ability to influence operational and logistical decisions in the electoral process.
One of the main targets of criticism has been the awarding of contracts to companies with alleged personal or political ties to leaders of the LIBRE party. These companies would be in charge of critical tasks such as the transport and custody of electoral material, which has raised concerns about the integrity of the logistics chain. Previous reports during the primary elections had already noted delays and alterations in the handling of the “electoral suitcases,” opening the door to questions about transparency and possible irregularities.
Social response and warnings about institutional weakening
The allegations have been echoed in different sectors of the country. Voices from churches, business associations, and civil society organizations have agreed on the need to safeguard the neutrality of the process. As demonstrations and public statements grow, mistrust of the current management of the electoral structure is increasing.
Analysts view this scenario as one of the most sensitive institutional crises since democracy was restored. Zelaya is recognized as a significant political player who, despite not having an official role in the executive branch, wields substantial influence over critical institutions, heightening tensions within the governmental framework and adding complexity to governance.
International monitoring and investigative measures
Faced with the deterioration of internal confidence, international organizations have expressed concern about the concentration of power in the hands of unelected actors and the growing intolerance toward criticism and dissent. In response, different political sectors have requested the presence of international missions to independently audit all stages of the electoral process.
At the same time, the Attorney General’s Office has launched investigations into companies that have received contracts related to the organization of the elections. These inquiries seek to clarify the existence of possible undue links and determine whether there were acts of corruption or political favoritism in the allocation of services.
A process at risk and a challenge for democracy
The current context places the Honduran electoral system in a critical position. Allegations of manipulation, institutional co-optation, and lack of transparency have called into question the credibility of the process leading up to 2025. In a country marked by a recent history of polarization and distrust of institutions, the strength of the democratic process will depend largely on the state’s ability to guarantee clean and supervised elections.
As investigations progress and social pressure intensifies, Honduras faces the challenge of sustaining its institutions in a scenario where perceptions of partisan control could further erode the legitimacy of its democratic structures.