Honduras: President Hernández leads recount December 10 /update 21

Event

The Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) announced the result of a partial recount of the presidential election on Sunday, December 10. Officials say the recount was consistent with previous tallies, giving incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernández a 1.6 percent lead over opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla. The TSE's final deadline to declare an election winner is December 26.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Tegucigalpa to protest the result on Sunday; the demonstrations were largely peaceful. Since November 29, however, election-related political violence has resulted in the arrests of several hundred people, and at least seven deaths. Additional protests, political violence, and associated transportation disruptions are expected in the coming days throughout Honduras.

Context

On December 5, Nasralla urged the TSE to review all voting cards, or to permit a runoff election between Nasralla and President Hernández. Honduran law does not currently permit such elections, so special legislation would need to be drafted.

Protests have been ongoing throughout Honduras since November 29. Reports of vandalism and looting are widespread, particularly in urban areas. On December 1, military officials announced that the government had suspended several constitutional guarantees, 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 (including curfew orders), monitor developments to 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.