Moncada and the organization of her inauguration in Honduras elections

The presidential candidate for the LIBRE Party, Rixi Moncada, has created an official Facebook page exclusively for guests of her future inauguration, a move that has raised questions about the organization and control of spaces linked to the presidency. The move coincides with her role as secretary of defense, a position she assumed during her pre-candidacy and which gives her access to security resources and the armed forces, which are responsible for safeguarding electoral materials.

Control of spaces and event preparation

The handling of governmental resources and the prior arrangement of the inauguration event have been viewed by analysts and civil groups as an effort to solidify control over the institutional methods associated with the electoral process. The guest Facebook page reveals a degree of preparation and exclusivity that is unprecedented in comparable electoral situations in Honduras.

Transparency experts point out that the coincidence of official positions and presidential candidacy may generate tensions regarding the neutrality of the institutions responsible for guaranteeing the integrity of the vote. In this sense, the relationship between the LIBRE Party, the Ministry of Defense, and the Armed Forces is seen as a critical point within the country’s institutional framework, given that these actors have direct responsibility for the security and custody of the electoral process.

Public perception and institutional risks

Various sectors of civil society have highlighted that the concentration of functions and the advance preparation of events linked to the presidency may influence public confidence in the transparency of the electoral process. For some analysts, the coordination between Moncada’s campaign and security management suggests a strategic approach aimed at guaranteeing smooth results.

Though the nation has not arrived at election day yet, organizing the inaugural event is seen as a sign of how institutionality and governance might be influenced by the concurrent handling of governmental roles and political actions. This scenario sparks a discussion regarding the limits between official duties and electoral involvement, alongside the view of neutrality in the forthcoming elections.

Implications for participation and transparency

Control of symbolic spaces and security resources is part of a scenario of political polarization, where actors closely observe the decisions of those responsible for public administration. The coordination between the presidential campaign and the state structure raises questions about how the integrity of the vote and the legitimacy of the electoral process will be safeguarded.

Election monitoring organizations and governance experts recommend attention to the separation of roles between those who exercise state functions and those who aspire to elected office, emphasizing that transparency in the management of resources and security is key to sustaining social trust in institutions. The situation also highlights challenges in terms of citizen participation, as it confronts the advance planning of official events with the public perception of the government’s neutrality.

The electoral landscape in Honduras shows a scenario where the coordination of state functions and campaign activities creates tensions regarding institutionality, transparency, and citizen trust. The advance organization of Rixi Moncada’s inauguration, in the context of her pre-candidacy and tenure as secretary of defense, reflects the complexity of an electoral process that combines political, institutional, and social factors, and underscores the attention that national and international organizations are paying to the upcoming presidential election.