Hondurans head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president. The next leader of the Central American nation will have to address issues such as structural poverty and inequality, migration both from and through Honduras towards the United States, and the effects of climate change-driven extreme weather on rural areas.

Despite these challenges, political analysts say mudslinging has prevailed over coherent policy proposals in the presidential campaign.

Current leftist President Xiomara Castro, the first woman to hold the top job, cannot stand for re-election because Honduras does not allow leaders to run for a second consecutive term. Her successor will govern the country from 2026-2030.

Polls show three presidential candidates have realistic chances of winning.

Rixi Moncada is running for the left-wing LIBRE party. She co-founded the party with Castro and former president Manuel Zelaya, who is Castro’s husband. Moncada served as defense minister before resigning this year to focus on her presidential campaign. She also served in Zelaya’s cabinet (2006-2009). Castro has endorsed Moncada, and she will probably continue her predecessor’s policies if she wins.

“The battle on Sunday is between two models: the oligarchy model and the democratic socialist model,” Moncada said during her end-of-campaign speech. Moncada’s government........

© Buenos Aires Herald