Tito Asfura Clinches Honduras Presidency in Contentious Election Backed by Trump
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — In a tightly contested and polarized race, Tito Asfura, endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, secured the presidency of Honduras, marking a significant political shift in the region. Asfura, representing the right-of-center National Party of Honduras (PNH), edged out Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla by a razor-thin margin of 40.3% to 39.5%, with the ruling LIBRE party’s Rixi Moncada trailing in a distant third place.
The election results, announced on December 24, came after days of delays caused by technical glitches and allegations of vote-rigging, reflecting the deep divisions within Honduran society. Approximately 15% of the ballots, accounting for hundreds of thousands of votes, had to be counted manually due to irregularities in the electronic tallying system. Despite disputes over the narrow vote difference, two members of the Honduran electoral council and a deputy validated the final count, while a third council member notably abstained from the public announcement.
Asfura, 67, took to social media to declare his readiness to govern, stating on X, “Honduras: I am ready to govern. I will not let you down.” His victory signals a move away from the leftist policies of the LIBRE party, which has dominated the political landscape in recent years. However, opposition remains fierce. Luis Redondo, president of the Honduran Congress and a LIBRE party member, condemned the results as an “electoral coup,” asserting on X that “this is completely outside the law. It has no value.”
The U.S. government swiftly recognized Asfura’s win. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the president-elect on X, emphasizing that the United States “looks forward to working with his administration to advance prosperity and security in our hemisphere.” This endorsement underscores the strategic importance of Honduras in Central American geopolitics and reflects Washington’s interest in curbing instability and migration pressures in the region. More broadly, the U.S. has maintained a keen focus on Central America’s political developments, as detailed by the U.S. Department of State.
The election night was marred by technical difficulties. The official vote tally website crashed amid the tight race, preventing timely public access to results. Observers noted similarities to the controversial 2013 election, which also faced accusations of manipulation. Nasralla publicly called for an investigation after alleging that an algorithm altered vote counts, transferring over a million votes between parties. These claims highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring transparent electoral processes in Honduras, a concern monitored by organizations such as the Organization of American States.
Asfura’s campaign benefited from repeated endorsements by Donald Trump, who warned on social media against any attempts to change the election outcome, stating, “If they do, there will be hell to pay!” This rare direct involvement by a former U.S. president in a Central American election underscores the growing influence of U.S. political figures in the region. It also reflects the broader trend of right-wing movements gaining momentum across Latin America.
The new administration faces significant challenges, including addressing widespread poverty, corruption, and security issues that have long plagued Honduras. The U.S. government’s support, as articulated by the White House, will likely focus on fostering economic growth and combating organized crime, which remains a critical concern for both countries.
Asfura’s victory also coincides with ongoing regional tensions, including U.S. sanctions against neighboring Venezuela’s government and efforts to manage migration flows through Central America. The outcome may influence Honduras’s foreign policy orientation and its cooperation with international partners on these pressing issues.
With the political landscape in flux, all eyes will be on how President-elect Asfura navigates the complex domestic and international challenges ahead, striving to unify a divided nation and fulfill campaign promises amid skepticism and scrutiny.
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