Tegucigalpa: The new Honduran president, Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura, who was backed by US President Donald Trump, was sworn in on Tuesday following his victory in elections at the end of November. ‘Honduras, I will not disappoint you. Things will go well for us,’ he said during his inaugural address in Tegucigalpa.
According to Ghana News Agency, Trump intervened in the election campaign, saying the United States would support the country only in the event of an Asfura victory. The US embassy welcomed Asfura’s inauguration and announced a new chapter in relations between the United States and Honduras, highlighting opportunities to advance together in security, economic cooperation, and strengthening bilateral relations.
Asfura secured 40.27% of the vote, narrowly defeating Salvador Nasralla of the centrist Liberal Party, who garnered 39.54%. The election process was marred by a delay of more than three weeks in vote counting due to irregularities and allegations of fraud from several countries.
The Central American country faces significant challenges, including poverty, drug-related violence, and corruption. Asfura, a 67-year-old construction magnate, has pledged to advance major infrastructure projects, strengthen ties with the United States, and shift diplomatic relations from China to renewed support for Taiwan.
Asfura succeeds Xiomara Castro, the first woman president of Honduras, who served from 2022 and is the wife of former president Manuel Zelaya, ousted by a coup in 2009. Asfura’s right-wing National Party has held power for more than a decade following the coup.