Background on Xiomara Castro and Nasry Asfura
Xiomara Castro, the newly elected President of Honduras, has faced international scrutiny after issuing a decree ordering a new vote count for the controversial elections. Nasry Asfura, a 67-year-old businessman and her declared president-elect, has been at the center of this controversy. Asfura was declared the winner on December 24, following the November 30 elections marked by interference from former U.S. President Donald Trump and allegations of electoral fraud from both the ruling party and opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla, who lost by less than one percentage point.
The Contested Decree
The decree, signed by President Castro, has been deemed illegal by the opposition, legal experts, and the OAS. It was approved by ruling party lawmakers on a Friday without opposition participation, and the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) had already officially declared Asfura the winner. The CNE, according to Castro, has “unjustifiably” refused to scrutinize thousands of inconsistent ballots.
Governments’ Response
Eight countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Guatemala—issued a joint statement rejecting Castro’s decree. They argue that it undermines the CNE’s authority, which had not previously commented on the ruling party’s initiative. The statement reaffirms recognition of the official election results declaring Asfura the president-elect.
International Observation and Call for Dialogue
The eight governments also highlighted that international observation missions had validated the elections. They urged all Honduran political forces to promote dialogue, respect democratic order, and ensure a peaceful transition. President Castro had previously requested a dialogue with Trump regarding the disputed elections, in which Trump supported Asfura.
U.S. Warning and Next Steps
The U.S. Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs had warned that any attempt to illegally reverse the Honduran elections would have severe consequences. As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and uphold democratic principles.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the controversy about? The controversy revolves around President Xiomara Castro’s decree ordering a new vote count for the November 30 elections, which declared Nasry Asfura the winner amidst allegations of electoral fraud and interference from Donald Trump.
- Which countries oppose the decree? Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Guatemala have collectively rejected President Castro’s decree.
- Why do these countries oppose the decree? They argue that the decree undermines the CNE’s authority, as it was approved without opposition participation and contradicts the official election results declaring Asfura the winner.
- What role did Donald Trump play in the elections? Former U.S. President Donald Trump supported Nasry Asfura during the controversial elections, adding another layer of complexity to an already contentious situation.
- What is the U.S. stance on the situation? The U.S. Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs warned against any attempts to illegally reverse the election results, emphasizing that such actions would have severe consequences.
