Nasry Tito Asfura, the right-wing, Trump-backed candidate, was declared the winner of Honduras' presidential election following a vote count that lasted nearly a month and was plagued by allegations of fraud and criticism of U.S. interference. Asfura, 67, a construction magnate and former mayor of Tegucigalpa, secured 40.27% of the vote, defeating center-right candidate Salvador Nasralla, who garnered 39.53%, a difference of approximately 28,000 votes.

The electoral council's decision to proclaim a winner before completing the review of all tally sheets under special scrutiny drew criticism from defeated candidates and expressions of regret from the Organization of American States (OAS), which had sent an observation mission. The OAS had initiated a recount of votes flagged as inconsistent.

Asfura, affiliated with the National Party, has pledged to continue the conservative policies of the outgoing administration. His platform focuses on economic growth through foreign investment, infrastructure development, and combating drug trafficking. Nasralla, representing the Salvador Party of Honduras, had campaigned on promises to tackle corruption, reduce poverty, and renegotiate the country's debt.

The election took place against a backdrop of deep political divisions in Honduras, exacerbated by the 2009 coup and allegations of electoral fraud in the 2017 presidential election. The U.S. government's support for Asfura has been controversial, given his past association with corruption allegations, which he denies.

The delayed announcement of the results and the contested vote count have raised concerns about the legitimacy of the election and the stability of Honduras' democratic institutions. Nasralla has not yet conceded and has indicated he may challenge the results, potentially leading to further political uncertainty. The next steps will likely involve legal challenges and potential street protests as the country grapples with the outcome of this closely contested election.