A conservative candidate in Honduras, supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump, moved back into a narrow lead on Thursday as the slow vote-counting process entered its fourth day.
According to the National Electoral Council (CNE), with 84.52% of ballots already processed, businessman Nasry Asfura was ahead with 40.05% of the vote, slightly surpassing fellow right-wing contender and television personality Salvador Nasralla, who stood at 39.74%.
Earlier in the week, the CNE reported that preliminary data showed the candidates in what it described as a technical tie. This announcement sparked criticism from Trump, who claimed authorities were attempting to manipulate the outcome and warned there would be severe consequences if the results were altered.
Honduras remains one of the most economically strained and violent nations in Latin America. Widespread poverty and gang activity have forced many citizens, including young people at risk of forced recruitment, to flee north toward the United States in search of safety and stability.
The CNE has urged the public to remain calm and patient, stating that technical problems caused delays in the count. Officials insist that the final result will accurately reflect the will of the people.
Ballots from remote and hard-to-access regions are still arriving, including areas only reachable by small boats or pack animals. Because of these challenges, a formal declaration of the winner may still take several more days.
By law, the electoral authority has up to one month to officially confirm the result. The Honduran presidential race is decided in a single round, with the candidate receiving the most votes securing victory.
Regardless of the final outcome, the recent election marked a significant setback for left-wing forces currently in power. A shift toward the political right could strengthen United States influence in Honduras, particularly after the previous administration had moved closer to China.
Trump has openly supported the 67-year-old Asfura, previously praising him as a defender of freedom, while portraying the 72-year-old Nasralla as disingenuous in his opposition to communism. Trump has also issued warnings that economic aid could be reduced for countries that fail to support his preferred allies.
Additionally, Trump recently granted clemency to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernndez, who had been serving a lengthy prison sentence in the United States for drug-related crimes. The unexpected release of the 57-year-old sparked widespread debate and was viewed by many as further political interference in the region.
