The presidential election in Honduras concluded with Nasry Asfura, supported by Trump, emerging as the winner, according to electoral authorities on Wednesday. This outcome marked a shift towards the right in Latin America, following Chile’s recent election of far-right leader Jose Antonio Kast.
Asfura, a member of the conservative National Party, secured 40.27% of the vote on Nov. 30, narrowly surpassing centrist Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla, who received 39.53% of the vote. Asfura, the former mayor of Tegucigalpa, won the presidency in his second attempt, after a closely contested vote count that raised international concerns.
Following the release of the results, Asfura expressed readiness to govern and reassured the nation. The election results dealt a blow to the current leftist leader and her Liberty and Re-foundation Party, as their candidate finished a distant third with 19.19% of the vote.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other right-leaning leaders in Latin America, including Argentine President Javier Milei, congratulated Asfura on his victory. Trump’s endorsement of Asfura shortly before the election underscored the political landscape, with Asfura emphasizing his track record in infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, Nasralla contested the election results, claiming fraud and demanding a recount before the official outcome was announced. He criticized Trump’s intervention, alleging it influenced the election results. The election process was marred by delays in the vote count, triggering further accusations of irregularities.
The election marked a turning point for incumbent President Xiomara Castro, who accepted the results despite earlier allegations of electoral interference. Observers noted the decisive rejection of Castro’s party, indicating little room for contesting the final outcome.