U.S.-Honduran relations have been strained under the Trump administration due to Castro’s leftist government and its ties to adversarial regimes. The upcoming March 2025 primaries feature three main parties amid significant political turmoil. The suspension of U.S. aid hampers election oversight, while corrupt funding and increased electoral violence pose serious threats to democracy. Ensuring transparency and strong international support is critical for maintaining electoral integrity.
The relationship between the United States and Honduras has deteriorated during the Trump administration, particularly regarding President Xiomara Castro’s leftist government, which has ties to China and support for Nicaragua and Venezuela. Notably, Secretary of State Marco Rubio omitted Honduras from his 2025 Central America tour, indicating a cooled diplomatic stance.
Previously, the Trump administration maintained good ties with former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was extradited and convicted on drug trafficking charges in 2024. During Hernández’s trial, evidence emerged of electoral fraud during the 2017 elections. Roger Stone, a Trump advisor, suggested that Hernández was wrongfully targeted due to political motivations surrounding the current Honduran government, raising uncertainties about future U.S.-Honduran relations despite Castro’s commitment to cooperation on extradition and immigration.
Primary elections are set for March 9, 2025, involving three main political parties amid a polarized environment. The left-leaning Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) has nominated Rixi Moncada, aligning with the current administration but requiring her resignation to run. Another contender is Rasel Tomé, recently sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption.
The right-wing National Party (PN) has four candidates, including Ana García, the wife of Hernández, and Nasry Asfura, who faces corruption charges. Other contenders include Jorge Zelaya and Roberto Martínez. The centrist Liberal Party (PL) nominated Jorge Cálix and Salvador Nasralla, who both have engaged with U.S. politics and aspire to restore ties with Taiwan.
The U.S. has halted cooperation, affecting election integrity. The Organization of American States (OAS) will only send a technical team for the primaries, with funding for observation missions remaining uncertain. Suspended financial aid impacts civil society’s ability to monitor elections, vital for democratic processes and integrity.
Organizations such as the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have suspended support and initiatives critical for electoral transparency and civil society collaboration. The suspension of U.S. assistance poses challenges to the integrity of the electoral process amid ongoing political and economic complexities.
Electoral financing issues pose significant threats to governance in Honduras, with illicit practices undermining democracy. Only 21% of candidates have properly opened bank accounts for campaign donations, raising alarms about transparency. The Clean Politics Unit faces obstacles including confidentiality agreements that limit public access to political financing information.
Electoral violence is increasing, with threats against election authorities and violence against candidates on the rise, reflecting internal conflicts and power struggles within criminal networks. Honduras ranks low on the Global Peace Index due to these ongoing issues and corruption, with violent disputes linked to crime and illicit economies affecting rural and Indigenous communities.
To ensure free and fair elections, Honduran authorities must commit to robust monitoring of campaign financing and improve institutional coordination, particularly with the Electoral Crimes Prosecutor’s Office. The United States should restore its cooperation with electoral institutions to secure electoral integrity, emphasizing international observation efforts and addressing organized crime’s role in electoral violence.
The Honduran political landscape is marked by significant challenges as the primary elections approach. The erosion of U.S. cooperation threatens electoral integrity, while internal struggles within political parties reflect broader issues of corruption and violence. Ensuring transparency in campaign financing and restoring effective oversight is crucial for achieving fair elections. Moreover, U.S. support is vital in stabilizing the situation and promoting democratic governance in Honduras.
Original Source: www.wola.org
