22 Dec 2017 | 10:57 AM UTC
Honduras: Electoral crisis continues /update 25
Electoral crisis continues in Honduras; President Hernández to meet with election runner-up Nasralla Dec. 20; avoid all protests
Event
Sociopolitical tensions remain high in Honduras amid the ongoing electoral crisis. The official loser of the November 26 presidential election, Salvador Nasralla, has agreed to meet with current President Juan Orlando Hernández. The talks are expected on December 20 and come following weeks of unrest that has left at least 24 people dead. Nasralla continues to call for fresh elections to be held, a call backed by the Organization of American States (OAS), amid claims of massive electoral fraud. He has also called for the international community to suspend financial aid to the national government until the situation is resolved, and warned of a possible civil war if new elections are not held.
Continued protests, including associated roadblocks and violence, should be anticipated throughout the country in the coming days, including in the capital Tegucigalpa, the cities of San Pedro Sula, Puerto Cortés, and La Ceiba, and highways along the Atlantic coast. Stores in central San Pedro Sula remained shuttered on Tuesday due to fears of looting, and roadblocks resulted in significant traffic disruptions including on the road leading to Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP). Banks throughout the country have remained closed or have been operating with limited hours in recent days.
Context
Protests denouncing the results of the November 26 presidential election have been ongoing throughout the country over the past three weeks. There have been reports of vandalism and looting, particularly in urban areas. On December 1, military officials announced that the government had suspended several constitutional rights, granting security forces greater power to address election-related protests and violence.
Advice
Individuals in Honduras are advised to adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities, closely monitor the situation, and strictly avoid all demonstrations.
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.
