Honduran centrist presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla has accused US President Donald Trump of interfering in the nation’s closely contested election, alleging that Trump’s endorsement of his rival may have influenced voter sentiment. The accusations come amid reports of electoral irregularities and a tense vote-counting process in the Central American country.

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Trump Endorses Rival Candidate

Last week, Trump publicly endorsed conservative candidate Nasry Asfura, 67, while criticizing Nasralla as a “borderline communist”. Nasralla, 72, told Reuters that these remarks likely cost him votes during the final stages of the election.

“It hurt me because I was winning by a much larger margin,” Nasralla said in an exclusive interview.

In addition to the endorsement, Trump made several statements on Truth Social, alleging without evidence that the vote was fraudulent and warning of consequences if results were manipulated:

“Looks like Honduras is trying to change the results of their Presidential Election. If they do, there will be hell to pay!”

Reports indicate that Trump also threatened to cut off US aid to Honduras if Asfura did not win and announced a pardon for former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been convicted in the US on drug trafficking charges, just days before the election.

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Tense Vote-Counting and Alleged Irregularities

As of Thursday evening, Honduran election authorities reported that 87 percent of ballots had been counted. Approximately 17 percent of ballots showed inconsistencies and are under review, with final results expected by 30 December 2025, according to Reuters.

• Polls currently show Asfura leading narrowly with 40.27% of the vote versus Nasralla’s 39.38%.
• Nasralla has publicly alleged vote tampering and irregularities during both primary and general elections via social media posts on X (formerly Twitter), though these claims have not been independently verified.

Analysts caution that the election outcome remains unpredictable due to the tight race and unresolved ballot discrepancies.

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Context: US Influence in Central America

Trump’s involvement in the Honduran election reflects a broader pattern of US influence in Central American politics:

• The US is a major provider of aid and economic assistance to Honduras.
• Presidential endorsements from US leaders can significantly sway voter perceptions in countries with close ties to Washington.
• The Trump administration’s actions, including the pardon of a former president and public threats regarding aid, have fueled concerns about foreign interference in Honduran sovereignty.

Experts note that foreign interventions can complicate election legitimacy and deepen political polarization in nations with already fragile democratic institutions.

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What’s Next for Honduras

• Election authorities will continue verifying ballots and reviewing disputed votes through 30 December.
• The political environment remains tense, with close monitoring by both domestic observers and international organizations.
• Nasralla’s allegations of interference and irregularities could prompt legal challenges or requests for an international review of the election process.

Honduras faces a critical period as the country awaits final results amid heightened political uncertainty and international scrutiny.