The Armed Forces distance themselves from the Government and pledge to uphold the official results of the National Electoral Chamber
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The Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Honduras, Roosevelt Hernández, stated that the Armed Forces will guarantee the presidential transition once the National Electoral Center (CNE) officially announces the results. These statements come in a context marked by protests, accusations of fraud, and an increasingly tense political climate.
Jefe del Estado Mayor Conjunto de Honduras, Roosevelt Hernández
The military's position, however, carries particular weight. It implies a break with Xiomara Castro's communist government and her LIBRE party, which are demanding the annulment of the electoral process and denouncing an alleged "electoral coup."
The Armed Forces made it clear that they will not support any annulment maneuver, and that they will only recognize the candidate proclaimed by the CNE. In practical terms, this means withdrawing support from the ruling party to align with institutional and electoral transparency.
"The Armed Forces will continue to guarantee alternation"
In statements to Televicentro, Hernández said: "Once we have those results, it is our duty to guarantee alternation in the exercise of the Presidency of the Republic." He added: "The Armed Forces, as they have done until today, will continue to guarantee and must guarantee that alternation."
He then emphasized that they will respect "the results that come from the sum of 100% of the original tallies that will be announced by the CNE."
This statement not only reaffirms the constitutional role of the institution, but also sends a direct message to the ruling party, which is trying to exert pressure to invalidate the process. By placing all legitimacy in the CNE—and not in the government's narrative—the military leaves LIBRE's strategy without support.
The headquarters of the electoral body remains under heavy police and military guard to protect the process. Its president, Ana Paola Hall, even requested reinforcements in the face of protests called by the ruling party.
Ana Paola Hall y Cossette López, asesoras del Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)
The OAS denounces attempts to disrupt order and supports the CNE
The OAS Electoral Observation Mission expressed categorical rejection of the demonstrations seeking to halt the recount. It stated that it "categorically rejects" any action that disrupts public order.
It also noted that these behaviors "represent a clear attempt to obstruct the course of the final phases of the electoral process and, therefore, to alter the popular will democratically expressed on November 30."
Las Fuerzas Armadas y Organizaciones Internacionales acompañan el insititucionalismo y la voluntad popular
The mission led by Eladio Loizaga emphasized that "it is essential for the security forces to safeguard the electoral materials that express the popular will." It called on the military to remain "fully at the disposal of the National Electoral Council (CNE) so that it can carry out its functions without any kind of pressure."
It also urged the body to "speed up the count and ensure its transparency", reminding that "the only entities authorized to validate the elections are the electoral authorities."
Meanwhile, it called on parties and leaders to "wait for the results and maintain their vigilance over the scrutiny processes." Reminding that political leaders "have the duty to exercise their position responsibly."
The recount remains close and the ruling party denounces a 'theft'
The right-wing candidate from the National Party, Nasry Asfura, keeps a lead of less than one percentage point. Opposite him is Salvador Nasralla, who denounced the "theft" of the election after several interruptions in the TREP.
The European Union Electoral Observation Mission added its concern and called for respect for the will expressed at the polls. It urged the CNE and the Electoral Justice Tribunal to act "impartially and exemplarily," avoiding "politically motivated obstructions or delays."
Beyond the formal statements, the political reading is clear: the Armed Forces will not support an attempt by the ruling party to disregard the electoral result.
Xiomara Casto y el oficialismo busca desconocer los resultados
By publicly committing to support only the winner proclaimed by the CNE, the military body sets the institutional path and prevents Honduras from falling into a scenario of democratic breakdown or an attempted self-coup disguised as annulment.
The military's message—together with the explicit support of the OAS, the EU, and international pressure—reinforces that the transition will be defined within the framework of the law.
As the scrutiny continues, the country is going through a critical phase. But the combination of:
the public commitment of the Armed Forces,
the pressure from international organizations,
and the political isolation of the ruling party in its annulment claim,
points to the presidential transition taking place within democratic order.
Honduras now faces an outcome that, far from the ruling party, will be defined by the CNE and safeguarded by the military institution. This is a step that, in a continent accustomed to post-electoral tensions, sets a decisive precedent.
