US-backed conservative Nasry Asfura sworn in as Honduras president

Nasry "Tito" Asfura, the US-backed conservative candidate, officially assumed the presidency of Honduras on Tuesday in a ceremony marked by domestic division and notable international alignment. The 67-year-old former mayor of Tegucigalpa begins his term following a contentious electoral process that his opponents denounced as fraudulent.

A Low-Key Inauguration Amid Political Division

The swearing-in ceremony at the National Congress in the capital, Tegucigalpa, was a relatively subdued affair, attended by only a handful of supporters. Congressional leader Tomas Zambrano administered the oath of office and placed the presidential sash on Asfura. Notably absent were the customary visiting heads of state from neighboring nations like Guatemala and El Salvador. In his inaugural address, Asfura called for national unity, stating, "Hondurans want peace and prosperity... A divided family does not move forward." His speech outlined policy priorities focused on public security, social welfare, and education, announcing an initiative to distribute 10 million textbooks to first-grade students.

Contested Election and Allegations of Foreign Interference

Asfura's path to the presidency was fraught with controversy. The election polarized the country, with the ruling Libre party and its supporters openly rejecting the results. Party leaders labeled the outcome an "electoral fraud" and strongly condemned what they viewed as overt political interference by former US President Donald Trump, who had publicly endorsed Asfura. This pre-inauguration crisis left Honduras split between Asfura's supporters and a significant portion of the populace that believes the democratic process was compromised, casting a shadow over the new administration's legitimacy.

Aligning with Washington and Tel Aviv

Even before taking the oath, President Asfura signaled his foreign policy orientation with high-profile international visits. He traveled to the United States for meetings with senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and to Israel, where he conferred with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These trips underscored a clear geopolitical alignment with Washington and its closest allies, a shift from the previous administration's warmer ties with China. Asfura now faces the formidable task of governing a polarized nation, needing to deliver on promises of improved security and economic growth while navigating the complex domestic fallout from his disputed electoral victory.