Honduras TV host Nasralla widens lead over Trump-backed rival for president
Donald Trump, who has backed Nasry Asfura, has alleged election fraud without evidence
Honduran TV presenter Salvador Nasralla widened a narrow lead on Wednesday over Trump-backed rival Nasry Asfura as the counting of votes cast in a weekend presidential election dragged into a third day.
With nearly 80 per cent of the count from Sunday’s voting completed, Nasralla was leading fellow right-winger Asfura with 40.23 per cent to 39.68 per cent, according to the CNE election council. The result was still too early to call.
The CNE has come under fire from US President Donald Trump after announcing Monday that a partial count showed the two men locked in a “technical tie”.
Trump, who routinely casts doubt on the integrity of elections whose results he disapproves of, accused Honduran authorities of “trying to change” the results, and threatened there would be “hell to pay” if they did.
Honduras is one of Latin America’s most impoverished and violent countries, and many citizens have fled north to escape those hardships, including minors fearing forced recruitment by gangs.
The CNE called for “patience” as it finishes the count delayed by technical difficulties, and has vowed the end result will “scrupulously respect the popular will”.