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Honduras election too close to call as Asfura holds slim lead
Early results from Honduras' general election show Nasry Asfura, the right-wing National Party candidate, leading by a razor-thin margin with over 40% of ballots counted, according to preliminary figures released by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on Monday.
Asfura, the former mayor of Tegucigalpa, holds 40.5% of the vote, edging out Salvador Nasralla, a former TV host and vice-president, who stands at 39%. Rixi Moncada, the left-wing Libre party's nominee, trails in third with roughly 20% support. The election, featuring five presidential contenders, has effectively narrowed to a three-way contest.
Trump's endorsement looms over tight race
U.S. President Donald Trump has openly backed Asfura, warning that American financial aid to Honduras-totaling over $193 million last fiscal year-could be slashed if his preferred candidate loses. "If he doesn't win, the United States will not be throwing good money after bad," Trump wrote on Truth Social, framing the election as pivotal for regional stability.
Trump's intervention drew criticism from Moncada, who accused him of "totally interventionist" meddling. The Libre candidate, a 60-year-old lawyer, has campaigned on protecting Honduras' "natural wealth" from privatization and vowed to combat corruption "in all its forms."
Corruption shadows Asfura's campaign
Asfura's National Party has faced persistent corruption allegations, including the 2024 conviction of former President Juan Orlando Hernández on U.S. drug trafficking and weapons charges. Hernández, sentenced to 45 years in prison, was a key party figure. Asfura has sought to distance himself, telling AFP on Friday that he has "no ties" with Hernández and that "the party is not responsible for his personal actions."
On the campaign trail, Asfura has promised to spur "development and opportunities for everyone," attract foreign investment, and create jobs. His platform contrasts with Moncada's populist rhetoric, which frames the election as a battle against "21st Century filibusters" seeking to exploit Honduras' resources.
Long queues, extended voting, and calls for patience
Voting was extended by an hour in some districts due to long queues, but the CNE reported no major disruptions. While all major candidates pledged to respect the final results, Libre party officials insisted they would only accept outcomes based on the full paper ballot count-not preliminary data.
The CNE cautioned that the race remains "on a knife-edge," with thousands of ballots from remote areas still uncounted. A shift in the lead remains possible as additional votes are tallied in the coming hours.
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
Catalan Water Agency
U.S. aid cuts and regional stakes
The Trump administration has already withheld $167 million in economic and governance aid earmarked for 2024-2025, per congressional records. In a separate post, Trump framed an Asfura victory as critical to combating "Narcocommunists" and drug trafficking, signaling deeper U.S. involvement in Honduras' political future.
