US president: Honduras would have ‘hell to pay’ over election delay

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – U.S. President Donald Trump warned Honduras of severe consequences if its electoral authorities tamper with the results of the hotly contested presidential election.

Trump had earlier endorsed conservative candidate Nasry Asfura, who holds a slim lead.

Trump accused the Honduran National Electoral Council (CNE) of attempting to manipulate the outcome after it paused the vote count with 47% of ballots processed. 

He demanded the tally resume, saying, “Hundreds of thousands of Hondurans must have their votes counted. 

Democracy must prevail!” His comments directly inserted the United States into an ongoing electoral process in a sovereign nation.

CNE President Ana Paola Hall earlier described the race as a “technical tie” between Asfura and rival Salvador Nasralla. At the time of the pause, Asfura led by only 515 votes. 

Trump’s remarks align with his earlier endorsement of Asfura, during which he also pledged to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, currently imprisoned in the US on drug-trafficking charges.

Trump’s threats signal a steep escalation of U.S. involvement, raising questions about potential American pressure tactics, including diplomatic actions or sanctions. The intervention underscores the Trump administration’s willingness to openly influence Latin American electoral outcomes, especially where preferred candidates are involved.