Honduras: Opposition candidate calls for protests /update 5

Event

Opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla has called on his supporters to take to the streets of the capital Tegucigalpa on Wednesday, November 29. The call was made on Tuesday evening after newly released preliminary results from the November 26 presidential election indicated Nasralla’s formerly solid lead was narrowing.

The electoral commission has been criticized for a lack of transparency amid the ongoing vote counting process, which is taking longer than expected, and some fear the results are being falsified. As of early Wednesday, Nasralla was ahead by 1.5 points with 73 percent of votes counted; according to results released on Monday, he had been ahead by 5 points with 70 percent of votes counted. Both Nasralla and incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernández claimed victory on Monday.

The final results are expected by midday on Thursday. Large protests and rallies are likely both before and after the final results are announced, regardless of the winner, amid high tensions. Violence cannot be ruled out.

Context

The campaign period was also marked by sociopolitical tensions, with President Hernández’s re-election bid denounced as illegal by the political opposition. At least one segment of the opposition had already said it would not accept the results should Hernández be re-elected.

Post-election violence and social unrest has broken out in the country during previous electoral cycles.

Visitors to the country should note that political activism by foreign nationals is prohibited under Honduran law. Foreigners who take part in demonstrations or other political activities risk detention and or/deportation.

Advice

Individuals in Honduras are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid all demonstrations.