Key Takeaways
- Nasry Asfura, a Trump-backed candidate, has won the presidential election in Honduras with 40.27% of the vote.
- The election marks a shift to the right in Latin America, following the election of far-right politician José Antonio Kast in Chile.
- The results have been met with controversy, with allegations of electoral fraud and interference from Donald Trump.
- Asfura has promised to be a unifying force for the country, while his opponents have vowed to contest the results.
- The election has been marked by a sluggish vote count, with international leaders expressing concern over the lack of transparency and potential electoral interference.
Introduction to the Honduran Presidential Election
The presidential election in Honduras has been a highly contentious and closely watched event, with Nasry Asfura, a Trump-backed candidate, emerging as the winner. Asfura, who received 40.27% of the vote, edged out his closest rival, Salvador Nasralla, who finished with 39.53% of the vote. The election marks a significant shift to the right in Latin America, following the election of far-right politician José Antonio Kast in Chile. Asfura’s victory has been met with both celebration and controversy, with his supporters hailing him as a unifying force for the country, while his opponents have alleged electoral fraud and interference from Donald Trump.
The Election Results and Aftermath
The election results were announced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, after a weeks-long count that had fueled international concern. Asfura’s victory was met with cheers from his supporters, who gathered at his campaign headquarters to celebrate. In a video statement released late Wednesday night, Asfura promised to be a unifying force for the country, saying "Today, with deep gratitude, I accept the honor of being able to work for you. I extend my hand so we can walk together with determination to work tirelessly for Honduras. I will not fail you." The results were also met with congratulations from international leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who wrote on X, "The people of Honduras have spoken… (the Trump administration) looks forward to working with his administration to advance prosperity and security in our hemisphere."
Controversy and Allegations of Electoral Interference
However, the election has not been without controversy, with allegations of electoral fraud and interference from Donald Trump. Nasralla, Asfura’s closest rival, has alleged that the election was fraudulent, saying that electoral authorities who announced the results "betrayed the Honduran people." He also addressed Trump in a post on X, writing, "Mr. President, your endorsed candidate in Honduras is complicit in silencing the votes of our citizens. If he is truly worthy of your backing, if his hands are clean, if he has nothing to fear, then why doesn’t he allow for every vote to be counted?" The allegations of electoral interference have been met with concern from international leaders, with the Organization of American States Secretary General Albert Rambin writing on X that the OAS "takes note" of the results announced and noted it is "closely following events in Honduras."
A Chaotic Election Process
The election process in Honduras has been marked by a sluggish vote count, which has fueled accusations of electoral fraud and interference. The vote count was paralyzed at one point, with international leaders expressing concern over the lack of transparency and potential electoral interference. The Central American nation was stuck in limbo for more than three weeks as vote counting by electoral authorities lagged, with the final 0.07% of votes still being counted when the results were announced. The European Union and other international leaders have condemned electoral authorities for announcing the results while the final votes were still being counted.
A Rightward Shift in Latin America
The election in Honduras marks a significant shift to the right in Latin America, following the election of far-right politician José Antonio Kast in Chile. The region has seen a number of progressive leaders elected in recent years, but many of them are now being cast out after failing to deliver on their visions. The incumbent president, Xiomara Castro, was elected in 2021 on a promise to reduce violence and root out corruption, but her party finished in a distant third place with 19.19% of the vote. The rejection of Castro and her party was seen as definitive, with independent international observer Eric Olson saying, "Very few people, even within LIBRE, believe they won the election. What they will say is there’s been fraud, that there has been intervention by Donald Trump, that we we should tear up the elections and vote again. But they’re not saying ‘we won the elections.’ It’s pretty clear they did not."
Conclusion and Future Implications
The presidential election in Honduras has significant implications for the country and the region. Asfura’s victory marks a shift to the right in Latin America, and his administration will face significant challenges in addressing the country’s economic and social issues. The allegations of electoral fraud and interference from Donald Trump have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, and it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the results. Asfura has promised to be a unifying force for the country, but it will require significant effort and cooperation from all parties to address the deep-seated issues facing Honduras. The future of the country and the region will depend on the ability of the new administration to deliver on its promises and address the concerns of the Honduran people.
