### Trump-Backed Nasry Asfura's Victory Marks a Shift in Honduras' Political Landscape - Nasry Asfura, a conservative candidate from the National Party of Honduras, has been declared the winner of the presidential elections held on December 24, 2025, securing 40.3% of the vote. His victory is notable as he received explicit support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, which has implications for U.S.-Honduras relations and regional politics. The election was characterized by a prolonged vote count and allegations of interference, reflecting a contentious political environment in Honduras [https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/trump-backed-nasry-asfura-wins-presidential-elections-honduras-279]. ### Breakdown of the Election Results and Context 1. **Election Outcome**: - Nasry Asfura won with 40.3% of the votes, narrowly defeating his main opponent, Salvador Nasralla, who garnered 39.5% [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/honduras-presidential-election-nasry-asfura-trump-backed-winner_n_694c58bbe4b0d09497fa5f08]. 2. **Political Backing**: - Asfura's campaign was significantly bolstered by the endorsement of Donald Trump, which included a controversial pardon for former President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was imprisoned in the U.S. on drug charges [https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/trump-backed-nasry-asfura-wins-presidential-elections-honduras-279]. 3. **U.S. Response**: - Following the election results, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Asfura and emphasized the importance of cooperation on issues like illegal immigration and security [https://www.anews.com.tr/americas/2025/12/25/us-congratulates-honduras-president-elect-nasry-asfura]. 4. **Controversies and Delays**: - The election process faced significant delays and disputes, with allegations of electoral interference and a partial recount of votes due to inconsistencies [https://www.newsweek.com/honduras-president-election-2025-news-vote-nasry-asfura-11268876]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Vote Distribution**: - Asfura: 40.3% - Nasralla: 39.5% - Other candidates: Remaining percentage [https://www.dailysabah.com/world/americas/trump-endorsed-nasry-asfura-re-elected-as-honduras-president]. - **U.S. Political Influence**: - Trump's endorsement and previous actions, such as the pardon of Hernández, have raised questions about U.S. influence in Central American politics [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/trump-backed-asfura-wins-honduras-presidency-after-weeks-of-delays-in-disputed-election-ce7e59dadd80f420]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Asfura's Victory - **Political Shift**: Asfura's election signifies a continued rightward shift in Latin American politics, following similar trends in neighboring countries [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/honduras-presidential-election-nasry-asfura-trump-backed-winner_n_694c58bbe4b0d09497fa5f08]. - **Future Relations**: The U.S. administration's support for Asfura suggests a focus on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly concerning immigration and security issues [https://www.anews.com.tr/americas/2025/12/25/us-congratulates-honduras-president-elect-nasry-asfura]. - **Electoral Integrity Concerns**: The controversies surrounding the election process highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring electoral integrity in Honduras, which may affect public trust in democratic institutions [https://www.newsweek.com/honduras-president-election-2025-news-vote-nasry-asfura-11268876].