Honduras: Presidential Election Outcome
Electoral authorities in Honduras declared Nasry Asfura, candidate of the conservative National Party, as the winner of the country's presidential election. The announcement on Wednesday afternoon followed a weeks-long vote count after the election held on November 30.
Vote Tally and Candidate Positions
Asfura secured 40.27% of the vote. His closest contender, Salvador Nasralla of the conservative Liberal Party, received 39.53%. The candidate from the incumbent Liberty and Re-foundation Party (LIBRE) finished in third place with 19.19%. Asfura, a former mayor of Tegucigalpa, secured the presidency on his second attempt.
Controversies and Allegations of Irregularities
The vote count experienced significant delays, leading to international concern and accusations of electoral irregularities. Nasralla maintained claims of a fraudulent election after the results were released, asserting that electoral authorities had "betrayed the Honduran people." He also attributed President Donald Trump's endorsement of Asfura, made days before the vote, as an act of electoral interference.
The Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Albert Rambin noted the announced results but also condemned electoral authorities for their decision to announce the outcome before 0.07% of votes had been counted, especially given the narrow margins.
International Reactions and Endorsements
Prior to the election, President Trump had publicly endorsed Asfura, stating he was the only Honduran candidate the U.S. administration would engage with. Following the announcement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Asfura, expressing anticipation for cooperation with his administration. Other international figures, including the European Union and Argentine President Javier Milei, also extended congratulations.
Regional Political Context
The election results align with a broader shift towards the right in Latin America. The incumbent progressive President Xiomara Castro, elected in 2021 on promises of reducing violence and addressing corruption, saw her party's candidate finish third. International observers, such as Eric Olson of the Seattle International Foundation, indicated that the definitive nature of Castro's party's defeat left little room to credibly contest the results, despite allegations of fraud and external intervention.