Hondurans head to polls amid Trump’s election threats
Voting proceeded largely peacefully, with minor reports of irregularities and some polling stations extending hours to accommodate long queues. All major parties have pledged to respect the final outcome, although the ruling Libre party stated it will only accept results based on the official count of paper ballots rather than preliminary tallies.
Incumbent President Xiomara Castro, Honduras’ first female president, was not on the ballot due to term limits. She has endorsed Moncada, a 60-year-old lawyer, who has pledged to protect the nation’s natural resources and combat corruption. Moncada accused Trump of “totally interventionist” meddling after his endorsement of Asfura.
Trump’s posts on his social media platform Truth Social emphasized US support for Asfura, warning that a loss would lead to a halt in US financial assistance. The US has already sent over $102 million in aid this year but cut $167 million in planned economic and governance support for 2024–2025. Asfura, former mayor of Tegucigalpa, pledged to boost investment, create jobs, and bring development to the country, though his party has faced past corruption scandals, including the conviction of former party leader and ex-president Juan Orlando Hernández in the US on drug and weapons charges. Asfura has sought to distance himself from Hernández.
Meanwhile, Salvador Nasralla, running for the fourth time, remains the frontrunner. He claims his 2017 election was stolen due to alleged electoral fraud, though a partial recount found no irregularities. Nasralla’s platform emphasizes an open economy, job creation, and severing ties with China and Venezuela.
The broader context of US regional actions has also influenced voter sentiment. Tensions with Venezuela have escalated as the US carried out military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats, while Trump declared Venezuelan airspace closed—despite lacking the authority to do so.
Beyond international pressures, Hondurans face internal uncertainties. Questions remain about whether the vote will proceed smoothly, whether the Libre party will accept defeat, and whether the armed forces will remain neutral amid accusations of creeping politicization.
Preemptive claims of election fraud from both the ruling party and opposition have fueled mistrust, prompting National Electoral Council President Ana Paola Hall to warn parties against inciting confrontation or violence.
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