Honduras is currently holding a general election in which various dynamics, including the involvement of US President Donald Trump, are influencing the political landscape. The election features five presidential candidates, with a notable focus on three frontrunners: Rixi Moncada from the leftist Libre party, Salvador Nasralla from the centrist Liberal party, and businessman Nasry “Tito” Asfura representing the right-wing National Party.
Trump has publicly endorsed Asfura and has suggested that financial aid to Honduras could be at risk if he does not win. Nasralla is currently leading in recent opinion polls; however, a significant portion of voters—approximately 34%—remain undecided, leaving the election outcome uncertain.
Outgoing President Xiomara Castro, who was the first woman to assume the presidency in Honduras, cannot run for re-election due to legal restrictions. She has endorsed Moncada, who has pledged to safeguard the country’s natural resources and combat corruption. In response to the US support for Asfura, Moncada has criticized Trump’s involvement as interventionist.
Trump’s statements also indicate that assistance from the US will not continue should Asfura lose, raising questions about the implications for US-Honduran relations. He recently stated that he and Asfura could collaborate to combat drug trafficking.
Asfura’s campaign emphasizes development and job creation; however, he faces challenges, including scandals associated with his party, linked to allegations against former President Juan Orlando Hernández. Hernández was sentenced to prison in the US for drug-related charges, a ruling Trump has expressed interest in overturning.
Nasralla, making his fourth presidential bid, claims previous electoral fraud in his 2017 campaign, a matter that remains contentious. His platform includes a focus on an open economy, employment generation, and severing ties with China and Venezuela.
Voting began at 07:00 CST and will last for ten hours. Pre-election claims of potential fraud have created an atmosphere of distrust, prompting officials to urge restraint to prevent post-election conflicts.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2dgp8mvmno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss