December 24th, 2025 - Honduras Confirms Victory for Trump-Endorsed Presidential Candidate

Election authorities in Honduras announced on Wednesday that Nasry Asfura, a former mayor backed by President Trump, had won the country’s presidential election after weeks of delays, technical hurdles and political tension. Officials said the count was effectively complete and that the outcome could not be reversed, bringing a close to one of the most closely watched elections in Central America in years.

Mr. Asfura secured victory by a narrow margin in a competitive race between two right-leaning candidates, a contest that drew international attention after President Trump publicly endorsed him days before the vote. Once the results were confirmed, Mr. Asfura struck a confident tone, telling supporters that he was ready to govern and promising not to disappoint the Honduran people.

His rival, Salvador Nasralla, rejected the outcome and refused to concede, arguing that disputed votes had not been fully reviewed. While he said he was not calling for unrest, he warned that ignoring perceived injustice could undermine democracy. Election officials countered that more than 98 percent of tally sheets had been processed and that Mr. Asfura’s lead of roughly 27,000 votes made any reversal mathematically impossible.

International observers acknowledged technical problems during the count but said they found no evidence of widespread fraud. European Union monitors and local analysts noted that while the process was slow and messy, it ultimately reflected voters’ choices. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged all parties to respect the certified results and allow for a peaceful transition of power.

If the results stand, the election marks a diplomatic and strategic win for President Trump, who framed his endorsement of Mr. Asfura as part of a broader effort to counter left-wing movements in the region. Mr. Trump argued that a cooperative Honduran government could help confront drug trafficking, strengthen regional stability and prevent Honduras from sliding toward the kind of authoritarian crisis seen in Venezuela.

Mr. Trump also signaled that U.S. aid and engagement would depend on credible leadership, reinforcing his administration’s hard-line approach to accountability in Latin America. His intervention energized Mr. Asfura’s campaign at a critical moment, with some voters saying they viewed the endorsement as a sign that Honduras could maintain strong ties with Washington.

While critics warn that the narrow margin and mistrust surrounding the vote could challenge Mr. Asfura’s credibility, supporters say his background in infrastructure and pragmatic governance gives him a strong foundation. As Honduras prepares for the transition, the election underscores President Trump’s growing influence in the region and his willingness to shape outcomes he sees as vital to U.S. interests and hemispheric security.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Hark Back (verb, HAHRK-BAK) - Harking back can be about turning back to an earlier topic or circumstance, as in "a storyteller harking back to his youth," or it can be about going back to something as an origin or source, as in "a style that harks back to the turn of the previous century."

Example: The dinner conversation harked back to the lunch debate over what counts as a traditional holiday meal.

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