The United States has swiftly congratulated Nasry Asfura, the conservative candidate from Honduras' National Party, on his electoral victory in the Central American nation's presidential election, while urging a peaceful transition of power. The announcement came on December 24, 2025, shortly after Honduras' National Electoral Council (CNE) officially declared Asfura the winner following a protracted and contentious vote count that lasted nearly a month.
In an official statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Asfura's "clear electoral victory" and expressed anticipation for collaboration: "The United States congratulates President-Elect Nasry Asfura of Honduras on his clear electoral victory, confirmed by Honduras’ National Electoral Council. We look forward to working with his incoming administration to advance our bilateral and regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen the economic ties between our two countries." Rubio further emphasized: "The United States urges all parties to respect the confirmed results so that Honduran authorities may swiftly ensure a peaceful transition of authority to President-Elect Nasry Asfura."
The CNE announced on Wednesday that Asfura secured approximately 40.3% of the vote, narrowly defeating Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla, who received 39.5%. Ruling Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) Party candidate Rixi Moncada finished a distant third with around 19-20%. The razor-thin margin—less than 1% separating the top two contenders—translated to roughly 28,000 votes in a nation of over 10 million people. Asfura, a 67-year-old businessman and former mayor of Tegucigalpa nicknamed "Papi a la Orden," posted on X: "Honduras: I am ready to govern. I will not let you down. God bless Honduras."
The general election took place on November 30, 2025, but technical glitches, system outages, and allegations of irregularities delayed the final tally for weeks. Over 98% of tally sheets were processed, with the CNE deeming it "arithmetically impossible" for the result to reverse. However, the process drew sharp criticism: Nasralla rejected the outcome, accusing authorities of fraud and omitting ballots, though he urged supporters to remain peaceful. Congress President Luis Redondo of the outgoing LIBRE party called the declaration an "electoral coup" with "no value." Protests erupted in prior weeks, and international observers expressed concerns over transparency.
Asfura's victory marks a significant shift, ending the leftist LIBRE government's tenure under outgoing President Xiomara Castro and signaling a rightward swing in Latin America, following recent conservative wins elsewhere in the region. His platform emphasized pro-business policies, job creation, education, security, and private investment. Analysts note potential policy changes, including a possible shift in diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
The election was heavily influenced by US President Donald Trump, who publicly endorsed Asfura days before the vote, describing him as Honduras' "only real friend of Freedom" and the sole candidate his administration would partner with. Trump also pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández—a National Party figure and Asfura ally—serving a 45-year US sentence for drug trafficking. Critics, including Nasralla and Castro, decried this as foreign interference, with Trump warning of consequences if preliminary leads favoring Asfura were overturned.
The US response aligns with broader hemispheric priorities under the Trump administration, focusing on curbing migration from Central America—a key source of irregular US border crossings—and enhancing security ties. Honduras remains a major transit point for migrants heading north, and bilateral cooperation has historically included anti-drug efforts and economic aid.
Asfura is set to assume office on January 27, 2026, for a four-year term. While supporters celebrated in Tegucigalpa, opponents vowed legal challenges, and observers from the Organization of American States lamented the incomplete recount of disputed ballots. The narrow result and external involvement underscore Honduras' fragile democratic institutions, plagued by historical instability, corruption perceptions, and violence.
This outcome could reshape US-Honduras relations, potentially strengthening alliances on migration control and trade while navigating accusations of undue influence. As Christmas Eve coincided with the announcement, Nasralla described it as "the saddest Christmas for the Honduran people," highlighting deep national divisions.
