Honduran candidate seeks Trump backing in final election audit

In a direct appeal to former US President Donald Trump, Honduran presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla has requested support for a comprehensive vote recount as the final audit of the contentious November election nears its end. The Liberal Party candidate, trailing conservative rival Nasry Asfura, emphasized in his letter that Trump’s influence could be pivotal in ensuring electoral transparency.

Allegations of excluded tally sheets

Central to Nasralla’s appeal is a dispute over tally sheets reviewed by Honduras’s National Electoral Council (CNE). He contends that while 2,793 sheets with inconsistencies were initially flagged, the CNE reduced the review list to 2,102, excluding 691 sheets. “This implies the exclusion of thousands of disputed votes,” Nasralla wrote, arguing the move disregards the popular will rather than favoring any single candidate.

Political positioning and prior endorsement

The letter also serves as a political realignment. Nasralla distanced himself from the leftist Libre Party and President Xiomara Castro, “reaffirming his historical opposition to communism.” This statement appears tailored to resonate with Trump, who had publicly endorsed Asfura before the November 30 vote. Nasralla suggested that endorsement, based on “incomplete information,” has been used to “legitimize a process that today lacks transparency and public trust.”

High stakes as counting finishes

With 99.92% of ballots tallied and Nasralla facing a deficit exceeding 30,000 votes, his letter frames the situation as a critical test for democracy. He warned that “inaction can cause lasting damage” and that “regional stability and democratic integrity are at stake,” urging a firm stance to achieve a fair outcome reflecting the true will of Honduran voters.