OEA - Informe CP INF. 10766 25 de 2025

[image]OEA/Ser.G

CP/INF. 10766/25

26 November 2025

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REMARKS BY MR. CHRISTOPHER LANDAU,

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Delivered during the special meeting of the Permanent Council on November 25, 2025, to consider recent events in the Republic of Honduras in the run-up to the general elections scheduled to take place in that country on November 30, 2025)

REMARKS BY MR. CHRISTOPHER LANDAU,

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Delivered during the special meeting of the Permanent Council on November 25, 2025, to consider recent events in the Republic of Honduras in the run-up to the general elections scheduled to take place in that country on November 30, 2025)

The United States thanks Chile, as Chair of the Permanent Council, for convening this Special Session. We also thank our co-sponsors today for engagement at this crucial moment for democracy in Honduras.

The Unites States shares the concerns raised by the OAS Electoral Observation Mission and the OAS Secretariat regarding interference, intimidation, and political pressure affecting the National Electoral Council and the Electoral Justice Tribunal. Over the past weeks, the OAS Mission has issued some of the strongest warnings in recent years regarding the autonomy and safety of electoral authorities in a member state.

The Mission made clear that Honduras must guarantee “the full independence and autonomy of the electoral authorities so they can focus on their technical work.” It warned of pressure and interference.

And yet, Members of the National Electoral Council, which runs the election, tallies the votes, and certifies the winner, have been subjected to intimidation and harassment.

Events leading up to these Honduran elections deeply concern me; it appears Honduras is already in crisis. Members of the National Electoral Council have been chilled by the threats; the armed forces have been rumbling. Let me reiterate: The Council and its commissioners need to be able to do their jobs.

The members of the OAS need to speak up now, before the elections. Without your voices calling for a transparent process free of fraud and violence, I fear Honduras faces an uncertain future.

The members of the OAS need to speak up now, before the elections. Without your voices calling for a transparent process free of fraud and violence, I fear Honduras faces an uncertain future.

I urge you to use your collective voice to warn officials of the consequences of meddling in the process or interfering with the results.

Elections must be held on November 30. Electoral officials must be able to do their jobs, free from interference. And, the full Congress must be permitted to carry out its legislative functions, rather than a nine-member commission, chosen for political loyalty.

If the Government of Honduras hopes to reassure this body, and more importantly, its own citizens, of the integrity of the electoral process, we call for a commitment to upholding Honduran legal requirements:

• a commitment to maintain the independence of the CNE; - a commitment that only the full Congress, not a select committee, will engage in the electoral process as needed; - a commitment that the military will adhere to the roles defined by constitution, safeguarding electoral materials without involvement in vote counting, and maintain a non-partisan position; - and a commitment by all the candidates and parties not to claim victory until indicated by the CNE.

Let me be very clear: the United States supports the integrity of the democratic process in Honduras. The Honduran people must not be robbed of their opportunity to choose their next president and other authorities in elections free from fraud, whose results credibly reflect the will of the people.

These principles are not partisan; they are foundational. Our congressional House Foreign Affairs Committee held a bipartisan hearing last Thursday to address concerns regarding Honduran Elections. This is a cause in which we are united across the political spectrum.

The principle of democratic elections align with the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which affirms that the peoples of the Americas have the right to democracy and that their governments have the obligation to promote and defend it.

Al pueblo de Honduras les dejo con este mensaje: les escuchamos y estamos con Uds. Salgan todosa votar el 30 de noviembre para ser parte del future democrático del país y del hemisferio.

Muchas gracias, thank you.