Honduran bishops: Don't vote for candidates backed by drug money

[Judi Lynn]

By David Agren
Oct 15, 2021
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Catholic News Service

MEXICO CITY — Honduran bishops urged voters to avoid supporting candidates “stained” by drug cartels in the November elections — an admonishment in a country where illegal money has long flowed into political campaigns and delegitimized the political class.

In a letter, the bishops’ conference called on citizens to vote in the Nov. 28 elections and to “overcome sentiments of indifference, apathy and skepticism provoked by our deficient system of government and its institutions,” while saying, “Honduras does not deserve that you vote for those who want to destroy it and look to win elections ‘at any cost,’ including deceptive and fraudulent actions.”

The letter also called for voters to “choose candidates who are not stained by corruption, organized crime and narcotics trafficking” and said they “must not be part of a fraud nor approve or consent to abuses of power, as occurred in previous electoral processes.”

The bishops also urged the political class to “free themselves of autocratic leadership and clientelism” and “to be persons with a true vocation of service to the poor.” Voters in Honduras often are coerced into voting for parties through giveaways and access to social programs or relief after natural disasters.

More:
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-americas/2021/10/honduran-bishops-dont-vote-for-candidates-backed-by-drug-money/