Nasry “Tito” Asfura of the National Party has been declared the president-elect of Honduras following a closely contested election marred by allegations of fraud. The national electoral council announced that Asfura secured 40.27 percent of the vote in the November 30 poll, finishing just over 27,000 votes ahead of his Liberal Party rival, Salvador Nasralla, who demanded a complete recount of disputed ballots.
Asfura, a former construction magnate and ex-mayor of Tegucigalpa, expressed his readiness to govern on social media, stating, “I won’t let you down.” Nasralla, making his fourth attempt at the presidency, did not immediately concede defeat and Rixi Moncada, the candidate from the ruling leftist Libre party, finished in third place with 19.19 percent.
The election drew unexpected attention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Asfura and threatened to cut aid to Honduras if Asfura did not win. Just days before the election, Trump announced a pardon for former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence in the U.S. for drug trafficking.
Asfura’s victory is seen as a consolidation of conservative influence in the region, which aligns with Trump’s goals of intensifying efforts against immigration and drug trafficking. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Asfura, indicating favorable relations between the new administration and the U.S.
Despite the favorable outcome for conservatives, outgoing President Xiomara Castro and her party initially declared the election “null,” alleging interference from Trump. Nevertheless, Castro has committed to transferring power to Asfura on January 27.
Why this story matters
- The election result influences U.S.-Honduras relations and regional security policies.
Key takeaway
- Asfura’s victory further aligns Central America with conservative governance, impacting U.S. strategies on immigration and narcotics.
Opposing viewpoint
- Critics argue that Asfura’s rise may exacerbate political tension and undermine democratic processes in Honduras.
