Hondurans Vote Amid US Pressure and Tensions
01st Dec. 2025
Hondurans voted on 30th November 2025, in a high-stakes general election shaped by threats from President Donald Trump. He warned that the US would cut financial aid if his preferred candidate, Nasry “Tito” Asfura, failed to win. Although five candidates were officially on the ballot, but the contest has effectively narrowed to three. They are leftist Libre contender Rixi Moncada, centrist television host Salvador Nasralla, and Asfura of the right-wing National Party.
With Trump’s support, the ongoing polls show Asfura is leading the election. Largely, voting went peacefully, although a few irregularities were reported. It has also been seen that officials extended polling by an hour in areas where there were long queues. Most voters, however, managed to cast their ballots without difficulty.
The major parties have all said they will follow their promises to accept the final count. But, the ruling Libre party, on the other hand, said it would only accept the full paper-ballot results rather than preliminary numbers. Therefore, it has raised new worries about possible confrontation after the election.
Ongoing battle between Honduras’ candidate
President Xiomara Castro, who became the first female president of Honduras in 2021, is now found ineligible for re-election under the single four-year limit. As a result, she presented Moncada to take her place. Moncada, who is a lawyer by profession, has vowed to protect “natural wealth” from all the “delay tactics (filibusters) who want to privatize everything” if she wins. Not only this, but she also expressed her fight against corruption “in all its forms”. Nevertheless, on Saturday, she criticized Trump for his “totally interventionist” behavior after he intensified his backing for Asfura.
Afterwards, Trump said that Washington would be “very supportive” if his promoted candidate, Asfura, wins. “If he doesn’t win, the US will not be throwing good money after bad. Because a wrong leader can only bring catastrophic results to a country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. According to the State Department website, in the last fiscal year, the US provided more than $193 million to Honduras and $102 million in 2025 despite aid cuts. Even so, the trump administration has already cut $167 million allocated for 2024 and 2025, the Congress website says.
What are the visions of Candidates for Honduras’ Future
Trump backed Asfura pushed an agenda that encourages development, foreign and domestic investment, and job creation. He also attempted to separate himself from former president Juan Orlando Henández. Juan is currently serving a 45-year sentence for drug and weapon trafficking charges. Trump also shows his intention to reverse Hernández’s conviction. He argued that “Juan was treated very harshly and unfairly”.
Meanwhile, Nasralla, who is running for the fourth time, said that his 2017 win was stolen due to electoral fraud. Although the loss was never proven, and sparked mass protests across the country. Talking about his election campaign, he is prioritizing an open economy and employment. He further stated that, if he wins, he’ll also look after the ties with China and Venezuela.
Nevertheless, accusations of potential fraud from both the ruling party and opposition have deepened fears of unrest. As a result, National Electoral Council president Ana Paola Hall urged all parties “not to fan the flames of confrontation or violence.” Still, the question remains, “Will the election conclude without any hindrance?” “Will the party accept their loss?” “Will Trump change his decision?”
Web Resources on the Honduras’ vote
1. BBC.com: Hondurans vote in election shadowed by Trump aid threats
2. Reuters.com: Conservative Asfura leads Honduras presidential elections
3. Congress.gov: U.S.-Honduras Relations
4. Truth Social by Donald Trump