DURING THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL TO CONSIDER RECENT EVENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS IN THE RUN-UP TO THE GENERAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON NPVEMBER 30, 2025

November 25, 2025 - Washington, DC

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Permanent Representatives,
Vice minister Torres, of Honduras
Permanent Observers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have listened carefully and with deep attention to the presentations made by the invited guests and also to the interventions from Member States. Rest assured that our Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) will seriously take note of all the observations made and suggestions and concerns raised.

The Organization of American States (OAS) has been monitoring the preparation for these important elections very closely. This Mission has been engaged in Honduras since early March of this year, as early as early March of this year, when a team of experts visited to observe the primary elections. Political and electoral actors that contribute to the organizing of the November 30th elections were also interviewed then. And I must say that some of the concerns which were identified since then have been addressed.

I want to inform you that, last week, the deployment of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission in Honduras started with the arrival of the Deputy Head of Mission, Gerardo Sánchez, and the General Coordinator, Rogelio Cantoral.

The Mission will continue its involvement in the electoral process, guided by the principles of objectivity and neutrality, non-substitution of national actors, respect for domestic law, and guarantees of independence and transparency, in accordance with the mandate of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Over the past weeks, the Secretariat, myself, we have held several meetings with different prominent persons and experts to be briefed on procedures, the political climate in the country, other key issues, and the public sentiment in the country ahead of these important elections. Subsequently, I issued a public statement calling on all actors to respect the institutional framework and to work constructively toward holding the elections on the established date under the best possible conditions—a call we today firmly reiterate.

At this moment, the Head of Mission, Eladio Loizaga, has arrived in Tegucigalpa to join the team of experts and observers. This Mission will comprise more than one-hundred members deployed across all departments in Honduras, including specialists in eight areas such as electoral technology, campaign financing, electoral justice, and electoral violence.

I would like to inform you as well, that Secretary for Strengthening Democracy, Kraljevich, will travel tomorrow to Honduras as well, on behalf of the Secretariat.

In the coming days, the Mission will meet with government authorities, electoral bodies, candidates, civil society representatives, academia, the private sector other electoral observation missions, and members of the international community accredited in Honduras. Based on these meetings, a thorough review of regulations and relevant documents, and direct observation, the Mission will continue its comprehensive analysis of the electoral process.

Apart from reporting on the political process, the EOM will report on the execution and the conduct of the process and procedures with regard to these elections. The EOM will, if necessary, issue statements regarding concerns as the process continues. The EOM will also issue its independent report soon after the elections.

Mr. Chair distinguished Permanent Representatives, I want to repeat my earlier call last week, for elections to be held free from any political interference by state institutions. Respect for independence of electoral institutions must be demonstrated in no uncertain terms by all forces in Honduran society.

The General Secretariat of the Organization remains firmly committed to supporting transparent, fair, and free elections in Honduras and to the strengthening of its democratic institutions. We urge all political leaders, presidential candidates, the private sector, civil society organizations, and citizens to contribute positively in the upcoming days, up to November 30th, to ensure an orderly, secure, and peaceful electoral process.

Every eligible Honduran must be afforded the opportunity to take part in this fundamental democratic exercise free from fear and in full freedom.

Thank you very much.