Honduras has a new president-elect after a protracted and contentious electoral process, with the victory going to the right-wing candidate endorsed by former US President Donald Trump.
A Month-Long Count and a Narrow Margin
The Honduran National Electoral Council (CNE) has declared Nasry 'Tito' Asfura the winner of the presidential election held on 30 November. The 67-year-old construction magnate and former mayor of the capital, Tegucigalpa, secured 40.27% of the vote. His main rival, centre-right candidate Salvador Nasralla, obtained 39.53%, resulting in a winning margin of just 28,000 votes.
The official declaration came almost a month after polls closed, following a count marred by allegations of irregularities and criticism of foreign interference. Crucially, the CNE proclaimed a winner before completing a full review of all tally sheets under a "special scrutiny" process initiated to recount votes flagged as "inconsistent."
Contested Result and Allegations of Fraud
The decision to declare a result prior to the recount's completion has sparked significant controversy and legal challenges. Salvador Nasralla has refused to concede, posting statements alleging fraud in the counting process, including "forgery of public documents." He claims that "the data from the original tally sheets were altered."
The three-member electoral council itself was divided. The declaration of Asfura's victory was supported only by the councillors aligned with his party and with Nasralla's party. The third councillor, linked to the party of leftist President Xiomara Castro (whose candidate finished third), refused to recognise the result. This councillor alleged an "electoral coup" was underway and filed a formal complaint with the public prosecutor's office, raising the prospect of a court challenge to the outcome.
In its statement, the CNE said: "By the majority will of the Honduran people, expressed sovereignly at the ballot box, the full council of the CNE declares Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah constitutional president of the Republic of Honduras for the four-year term beginning on 27 January 2026 and ending on 27 January 2030."
Trump's Shadow Over the Election
The election was notably influenced by the overt involvement of former US President Donald Trump. Days before the vote, Trump publicly backed Asfura, stating the US would only support the next Honduran government if he won. He also attacked other leading candidates, labelling them communists or allies of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro.
In a highly controversial move on the eve of the election, Trump announced a pardon for former Honduran president and Asfura ally, Juan Orlando Hernández. Hernández had been sentenced to 45 years in a US prison for his role in allegedly creating "a cocaine superhighway to the United States."
Following the CNE's declaration, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Asfura on social media, stating: "The people of Honduras have spoken: Nasry Asfura is Honduras’ next president. The United States congratulates president-elect Asfura and looks forward to working with his administration."
Asfura has already declared himself president-elect, promising, "Honduras: I am ready to govern. I will not let you down." However, with the defeated candidates crying foul and international observers like the Organization of American States lamenting the premature declaration, the political turmoil in Honduras appears far from over.
