Honduras resumes releasing election results, Trump-backed Asfura maintains lead

Honduras' conservative National Party candidate Nasry Asfura, backed by Donald Trump, edged ahead in the count of the Central American nation's presidential election on Monday, in an extended process marked by delays and accusations of fraud.



With 97% of the ballots tallied, Asfura had 40.52% of the vote as election officials resumed releasing updated results for the November 30 vote, leading his closest competitor by just 42,100 votes.



Salvador Nasralla trailed with 39.18%. The two have repeatedly traded the lead during the count, but on Monday afternoon Asfura's lead began to widen slightly.



Rixi Moncada was in third place with 19.32%, roughly half the support of her two main rivals.



"After carrying out the necessary technical actions (with external auditing), the data is now being updated in the results," Ana Paola Hall, president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), said on X.



She urged candidates to remain alert and file any legal challenges as required. The count was frozen on Friday afternoon with some 88% of the ballots processed. About 16% of tally sheets showed inconsistencies and will be reviewed, according to the CNE.