Rio de Janeiro, Jan 28, (dpa/GNA) – The new Honduran president, Nasry “Tito” Asfura, who was backed by US President Donald Trump, was sworn in on Tuesday following his victory in elections at the end of November.
“Honduras, I will not disappoint you. Things will go well for us,” he said during his inaugural address in Tegucigalpa.
Trump intervened in the election campaign, saying the United States would support the country only in the event of an Asfura victory.The US embassy welcomed Asfura’s inauguration.
“Today a new chapter is beginning in relations between the United States and Honduras, with opportunities to advance together in security, economic cooperation and the strengthening of our relations,” the embassy posted on X.
Asfura secured 40.27% of the vote, against 39.54% for Salvador Nasralla of the centrist Liberal Party. Counting was delayed by more than three weeks due to irregularities, amid allegations of fraud from a number of countries.
Poverty, drug-related violence and corruption are among the problems facing the Central American country.
Asfura, a 67-year-old construction magnate, has pledged to push ahead with major infrastructure projects, strengthen ties with the US and sever diplomatic relations with China in favour of renewed support for Taiwan.
He succeeds the leftist Xiomara Castro, who was the first woman president and served as head of state from 2022. She is the wife of Manuel Zelaya, the former president ousted by a coup in 2009.
Asfura’s right-wing National Party, held power for more than 10 years after the coup.
GNA