Benjamin Taylor

The Honduran electoral landscape remains highly competitive ahead of the November 30 election. Polls continue to position Salvador Nasralla and Nasry “Tito” Asfura as the main contenders, while the ruling party's candidate, Rixi Moncada, lags behind in third place with no signs of a significant rebound.Recent surveys indicate that both Nasralla and Asfura are attracting the attention of uncommitted voters, a group deemed crucial for influencing the ultimate result. Both contenders have increased their grassroots activities, emphasizing platforms centered on financial security, the anti-corruption effort, and administration, elements that the voting public appears to prioritize as the campaign nears its…

With less than a month remaining until the general elections on November 30, the continuation of the state of emergency in Honduras has sparked apprehension among civil society groups, experts, and international monitors. This decree, which temporarily suspends certain constitutional protections, prompts inquiries regarding the populace's capacity to exercise their entitlements during the electoral process.The ongoing extension of this suspension primarily impacts freedom of movement, public assemblies, and other fundamental liberties. Various societal groups caution that these limitations might influence voter participation, particularly in areas where civic engagement has traditionally played a crucial role in shaping outcomes.Risks to electoral legitimacyConstitutional…

The recently released Financial Inclusion Module, part of the November 2024 Permanent Multi-Purpose Household Survey (EPHPM), offers a current overview of how the Honduran populace engages with the official financial sector. This module was a joint effort by the National Institute of Statistics (INE Honduras), the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The survey encompassed 7,250 households, representing 26,576 individuals, and delivers highly pertinent statistics concerning access, use, and financial education. This information is particularly relevant given the ongoing political discussions surrounding credit regulation.Credit utilization and its influencing elementsThe document shows that credit use…

A recent survey conducted by CBS indicates a notable divergence in opinions regarding the recent government shutdown agreement brokered by legislators. The findings suggest that individuals affiliated with the Republican Party, notably ex-President Donald Trump, are viewed as having gained greater benefits from this political resolution. Conversely, Democratic officials and their constituents contend that their party conceded too much during the negotiation phase.As the nation grappled with the looming threat of a government shutdown, discussions among party leaders intensified, leading to a last-minute resolution aimed at preventing disruption to essential government services. While the GOP appeared to emerge with favorable…

The recent demonstrations, organized by factions linked to the LIBRE Party and rallying under the banner of "no turning back," have sparked increasing apprehension across various segments of Honduran society. With the general elections merely weeks away, the nation finds itself immersed in an environment characterized by heightened political polarization, a weakening of institutional erosion, and widespread public distrust regarding the electoral proceedings.Thousands of ruling party adherents convened at multiple locations across Tegucigalpa on a day that, as stated by government representatives, aimed to "uphold the nation's re-establishment and safeguard the popular ballot." Nevertheless, for numerous societal segments and political…

With just a few weeks to go before the general elections, various political and business sectors and civil society organizations have expressed concern about alleged institutional deterioration in Honduras and the possibility of replicating a model of political control similar to that of Chavismo in Venezuela, referred to by some analysts as the “Venezuela Plan.”Various commentators suggest that this approach would be designed to centralize authority, impacting the autonomy of crucial organizations, and restricting the operations of private businesses and dissenting media outlets, by leveraging governmental assets and institutional influence to ensure the perpetuation of the governing party's political agenda.Signs…