Tue Dec 09 01:13:31 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary:

The Honduran presidential election, held on November 30th, 2025, has been marred by delays, fraud allegations, and international involvement. After vote counting was suspended for three days, it resumed on December 8th, with conservative National Party candidate Nasry Asfura, backed by Donald Trump, narrowly leading television host Salvador Nasralla. The prolonged count has raised concerns from international observers and led to calls for transparency. Third-place candidate Rixi Moncada has demanded the election be annulled. The situation is further complicated by Donald Trump’s support for Asfura and his earlier offer to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is currently serving a sentence in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges. An international warrant has now been issued for Hernandez’s arrest. Tensions are high, with memories of the violence following the 2017 election, and fears of potential unrest.

Here’s the rewritten news article:

Honduran Election Count Resumes Amid Fraud Claims and International Scrutiny

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – December 9, 2025 – The contentious vote count in Honduras’ November 30th presidential election resumed on Monday after a three-day suspension, with conservative National Party candidate Nasry Asfura holding a slim lead over his rival, television host Salvador Nasralla. The prolonged process has been plagued by allegations of fraud, prompting international observers to call for transparency and a swift resolution.

Asfura, the former Mayor of Tegucigalpa, leads Nasralla by roughly 42,100 votes with 97% of ballots tallied. The two candidates have traded the lead throughout the count. Rixi Moncada, representing the ruling Libre Party, is in third place and has called for the entire election to be annulled, threatening protests and strikes.

The election has been further complicated by the involvement of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has strongly endorsed Asfura. He has also signaled he could cut funds to Honduras should another candidate win. Days before voting began, Trump also announced he would pardon a former president of Mr. Asfura’s National Party: Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been serving a 45-year sentence in the U.S. after being convicted on drug trafficking and weapons charges. On Monday, Honduras’ attorney general said he had issued an international warrant for Hernandez’ arrest.

Ana Paola Hall, president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), acknowledged inconsistencies in some tally sheets and urged candidates to pursue legal challenges.

The situation is tense, with memories of the violence and deaths that followed the disputed 2017 election still fresh in the minds of Hondurans. While streets remained calm on Monday, fears of potential unrest linger as the country awaits a final result.

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