Honduras Presidential Election: Trump-Backed Candidate Holds Slim Lead Amid Controversy
In a razor-thin, controversial presidential election in Honduras, right-wing National Party candidate Nasry 'Tito' Asfura holds a slim lead over his rival Salvador Nasralla, with around 40 percent of the votes counted. The election has been marked by a contentious involvement of US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to cut aid to Honduras if Asfura is unsuccessful.
A Divided Election
This election saw two conservative candidates, Asfura and Nasralla, vying for the presidency. Rixi Moncada, from the ruling left-wing Libre Party, trailed behind with an estimated 19.6% of the vote. With a difference of only two points between Asfura and Nasralla, the race has been described as a 'technical tie' by Ana Paola Hall, president of the National Electoral Council (CNE).
Trump's Involvement and Allegations of Fraud
The US President has taken a strong interest in the election, warning that if his favored candidate, Asfura, didn’t win, the United States would “not be throwing good money after bad” to the country. He also warned of 'hell to pay' if the election results were altered, alleging, without evidence, that Honduras is trying to change the results.
This claim has heightened tensions in a country already on edge due to the close race. Both Asfura and Nasralla have claimed that their projections place them as the next president. The last official update was made with 57% of the votes counted, showing the two candidates neck and neck with only a 500 vote difference.
Reactions and Implications
Trump's threats have dominated the election, sparking reactions both domestically and internationally. The election has showcased the delicate balance politicians must strike between cooperating with the Trump administration and their obligations towards undocumented citizens in the U.S. who could face deportation.
The election also comes in the wake of Trump's announcement that he plans to grant a full and complete pardon
to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced in New York last year to 45 years in prison for conspiring with drug traffickers.
Current Status
The vote count remains ongoing, with a few polling stations remaining open due to large voter turnouts. The National Electoral Council (CNE) has assured that these locations will remain open until the last voter is attended.
As the counting continues and the world watches, the results of this election will have significant implications for the future direction of Honduras, its relationship with the U.S., and its stance towards its citizens abroad. The controversy surrounding Trump's involvement adds another layer of complexity to this crucial juncture in Honduran politics.