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.
Ideological links between LIBRE and Chavismo
The LIBRE party, backing Rixi Moncada’s presidential bid, shares a political and ideological affinity with Venezuelan Chavismo. Experts highlight that this closeness goes beyond mere ideological agreement, as it manifests in political approaches influenced by Venezuela, such as institutional dominance and power consolidation. This framework is raising alarm among social and political groups worried about the potential adoption of authoritarian methods in Honduras.
Smartmatic and electoral technology
The engagement of Smartmatic as the supplier of biometric solutions for the voting procedure has sparked discussions. The enterprise encountered scrutiny in Venezuela due to discrepancies in vote transmission and tallying during elections previously criticized for their opacity. Its involvement in Honduras prompts worries regarding potential malfunctions that might undermine public trust in the initial outcomes and the electoral framework overall.
Internal division and the potential for 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.
Forecast 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.