Early Honduras election results show Trump-backed candidate leading

Monday 01 December 2025 - 10:00

By: Sahili Aya

Early Honduras election results show Trump-backed candidate leading

Early returns from Honduras’ general election indicate a tight race, with Nasry “Tito” Asfura, candidate of the right-wing National Party, narrowly leading the vote. The preliminary count shows Asfura with 40.6%, closely followed by former vice president and TV host Salvador Nasralla at 38.8%. In third place is Rixi Moncada of the ruling left-wing Libre Party.

The results, announced by the country’s electoral council, are partial and preliminary, with only about a third of ballots counted. Officials warned that the lead could shift as votes from remote areas are tallied. Voting extended in some locations due to long lines, but most citizens reportedly cast their ballots without major issues.

The election is notable for US involvement, with former President Donald Trump publicly endorsing Asfura. Trump threatened to reduce financial aid to Honduras if his preferred candidate loses, highlighting the strategic importance of the election to Washington. Honduras received over $193 million in US aid last year, and about $102 million so far in 2025, despite previous cuts by the Trump administration.

Asfura, a former mayor of the capital Tegucigalpa, promised to boost economic development, foreign investment, and employment. Meanwhile, Moncada, backed by outgoing president Xiomara Castro, emphasized protecting natural resources and fighting corruption, and criticized Trump’s intervention in the election.

Presidents in Honduras serve single four-year terms, so Castro was ineligible to run. The election also includes votes for all 128 members of Congress and nearly 300 local representatives, making it a critical moment for the country’s political landscape.