Honduras: Nationwide election-related protests Nov. 30 /update 8

Event

Protests broke out near on Thursday, November 30, in Esparta, La Lima and Tegucigalpa, as the presidential election vote counting continues. According to local sources, protesters have blocked highway CA-13, near Esparta (Atlántida department), and the Centroamérica boulevard in Tegucigalpa, bringing traffic to a standstill. Additional protests could spread to other cities. 

According to preliminary results released on Wednesday, November 29, incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernández had taken the lead for the first time since the vote counting process began; he currently enjoys a narrow lead with 88 percent of the votes counted.

The final election results are still expected to be released on Thursday. Further protests and rallies are likely both before and after the final results are announced, regardless of the winner. Post-election violence and social unrest has broken out in the country during previous electoral cycles; such violence cannot be ruled out in the coming hours and days, particularly if Hernández is declared the winner.

Context

The electoral commission - the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) - has been criticized by international observers for a lack of transparency amid the ongoing vote counting process, which is taking longer than expected.

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

Advice

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