WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement Monday regarding the current electoral crisis in Honduras:

“The widespread irregularities documented in the second report by the Organization of American States’ election observation mission raise further doubts about the legitimacy of the Honduran elections. The fact that the OAS observation mission cannot certify the election results is a startling statement about the fragility of democratic institutions in Honduras. It is also an alarming indication about the lack of confidence Hondurans can have when exercising their most fundamental rights to choose their next president.

“Given these developments, I support the steps by OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro to defuse political tensions and strengthen the credibility of democratic processes in Honduras, including the call for a new free, fair and transparent election. While these efforts continue, I urge all sides to refrain from violence and appeal to Honduran security forces to cease their use of live ammunition against protestors.”

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