President Trump says ground attack on Venezuela will ‘begin soon’
President Donald Trump said in an address to troops that the United States would launch a ground attack on Venezuela “immediately.”
Honduras woke up this Monday in an anxious silence, its eyes glued to the inching electorate count. The country does not yet have an elected president, but new data from the National Electoral Council (CNE) reveals important changes. National Party candidate Nasri “Tito” Asfullah, who is publicly supported by Donald Trump, maintains a minimum 4,100 vote advantage over Salvador Nasrallah, with 56% of votes counted.
According to the latest figures, Mr. Asfullah received 40% of the vote, with Mr. Nasrallah of the Liberal Party (39.78%) in a close race, and each digital record seems to be moving the heartbeat of the people. He was followed by Libre’s official candidate Lixi Moncada with 19.18%, a clear disciplinary vote.
The country voted on Sunday, a well-attended and politically tense day made worse by President Trump’s interference, failures on the CNE’s digital platform and mutual accusations of fraud. The next president will govern Honduras from 2026 to 2030, but there will be no second round and a simple majority will be sufficient.
When were Honduras’ elections held and what happened on that day?
The election took place on November 30 on a calmer-than-expected day after weeks of tension, early allegations of fraud and a heated political climate amid interference from US President Donald Trump, Reuters reported. The country voted under a state of emergency that has been in place since 2022, adding an unusual element to already scheduled election events.
More than 6 million Hondurans were eligible to vote. In addition to the president, deputy representatives, mayors, and representatives of the Central American Congress were also elected. The National Electoral Commission (CNE) extended voting at heavily attended polling stations, and tensions ran high as it took more than an hour and a half for the first bulletin to be released after the session closed.
Who are the candidates? How is the presidential election going?
AsfuraThe construction businessman and former mayor of Tegucigalpa claims to be a hands-on manager with a focus on infrastructure. He reached the final stage with the support of President Trump, a move that polarized the country and revived rejection of former president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.
Nasrallahthe TV presenter and politician will be competing for the fourth time. Its banner is the fight against corruption and a break with traditional political elites. He sells himself as an outsider, even though he served as vice president in the Castro regime.
Moncadaa former minister and political dolphin of Xiomara Castro, chose to continue the progressive policies of his ruling party, but ended up receiving a clear punitive vote after years marked by scandal, nepotism, and public discontent.
Trump’s importance in the election: endorsements, warnings, and controversial pardons
Donald Trump directly intervened in the Honduras process. He posted a series of messages Friday supporting Mr. Asufura, warning that the United States “will not put good money after bad unless Mr. Asfullah wins.” He also said both sides could work together against drug trafficking.
The political fallout was immediate, reviving recent wounds, dividing voters and tense the pre-election situation.
But that wasn’t all. President Trump has promised to pardon former President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison in the United States for drug and arms trafficking. Hernández, also from the Nationalist Party, ruled Honduras from 2014 to 2022, but his character is highly controversial.
The announcement sparked anger, especially among young voters and those who supported the extradition and conviction of the former president.
Argentina’s President Javier Millay also supported Asufura, saying he represents resistance “against leftist tyrants.”
The country will have to wait. The CNE will continue to review and it could take days, or even weeks, to announce an official winner. International observers, including the OAS, called for caution and responsibility from the candidates, especially given the possibility that the final result could be called into question.
The next few hours will be key for Hondurans at home and abroad, including the nearly 1 million people living in the United States. The future president will govern a country marked by poverty, immigration, gang violence and a struggle to restore faith in institutions.
The results are near, but not yet arrived. Honduras remains on edge, waiting for the next chapter.
contribution: Reuters
Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.
