The Latin American Report # 659: Discussing the first electoral data in Honduras

Nasry Asfura, the candidate blessed by Trump, was ahead early Monday in the vote count for Honduras' presidential elections (∼40.4%), followed very closely by another opposition candidate, Salvador Nasralla (+39%). Both are well ahead of the government candidate Rixi Moncada, who performed very poorly on the critical election day (∼19.45%). The first official communication was issued around 10:40 PM local time by the National Electoral Council, more than an hour and a half later than initially planned (9:00 PM), after the contested institution alleged problems with a vote-receiving board. Although its three electoral councilors were already seated at 10:15 PM, 15 minutes after the replanned time, the start of the national television broadcast was delayed even further, which could give rise to objective claims about the transparency and quality of the process, highly contested by all major actors from the outset.

_{A screenshoot from the Azteca Honduras' live transmision.}

The broadcast introduction was in a highly disrespectful loop, and, at a moment when the Azteca Honduras channel signal came back on air, we could see two of the councilwomen receiving suspicious phone calls. None of this occurred in the elections I have observed in recent months, particularly the recent ones in Chile and Ecuador, characterized by impeccable operation and transparency. Whatever the outcome, the result so far indicates a clear rejection of the ruling party, personified by Moncada. Then we have the Washington issue. At the last minute, the U.S. president decided to play a wild card in favor of the conservative Asfura, including in the "electoral support" package the announced pardon for Juan Orlando Hernández, the corrupt former president, prosecuted and sentenced by the US judicial system.

That play could be, in the end, more harmful than helpful for Asfura, and instead go in the right direction for Nasralla. Despite being hit by the White House chief, the contender of the Liberal Party sent a message of peace and alignment of interests to him. "I deeply regret the malicious misinformation from my political rivals, who, knowing they are losers, have carried to the ears of President Trump's advisors, a person who deserves all my respect and highest consideration," said Nasralla, who also positioned himself strongly on the topic of the moment, that is: Venezuela. "Honduras will not align with illegitimate regimes or questioned leaders: we do not recognize Nicolás Maduro as president of Venezuela and will only reestablish ties when there is a legitimate government," he stated via X.

_{A councilwoman talking to the press.}

Presenting himself, furthermore, as an outsider with an anti-corruption message, Nasralla, very confident in his victory, proposes extrapolating the Bukele model to a country that, despite continuing to be very violent, has seen crime levels drop. Honduras faces other chronic problems of the region like poverty and unemployment. For the next report, we hope to know the winner of this Sunday's electoral process, and that every political grievance is settled in a climate of respect and serenity, as that culturally rich Central American nation deserves. The people have done their part; now it is up to the institutions to clear up any doubts about the quality of the data, which begins with its timely dissemination.

This is all for today’s report.