Roosevelt Hernández, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated on December 17, 2025, during a midday address, that if the National Electoral Council (CNE) fails to declare presidential election results by December 30, the armed forces will respect the process shifting to the National Congress, as stipulated in the Constitution. Hernández emphasized the military's commitment to constitutional procedures, urging adherence to the legal framework. The statement, reported in the early afternoon within the 12:46 p.m. to 3:46 p.m. UTC window, reiterated the institution's non-interference stance amid ongoing election disputes. The remarks align with prior military positions on electoral validation, with Hernández quoting the Constitution directly: "You have to read the Constitution, in it..." No further details on the declaration process were provided in the address.
