Trump's Unexpected Role in Honduras Election Shakes Up the Race

The unexpected intervention of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Honduran presidential election, through the endorsement of Nasry 'Tito' Asfura and the pardon of former President Juan Orlando Hernández, has transformed the political landscape. Candidates and citizens react to Trump's controversial move, as concerns about election integrity and societal tensions rise.

On the eve of the presidential election in Honduras, the focus has shifted dramatically from internal matters to U.S. politics, courtesy of President Donald Trump's surprising actions. Trump endorsed Nasry 'Tito' Asfura, a candidate from the conservative National Party, while also pardoning former President Juan Orlando Hernández, who faced a lengthy sentence in the U.S. on drug charges.

Trump's intervention adds a new layer of complexity to the already tense political scene, with candidates accusing each other of corruption and meddling in election processes. Rixi Moncada, candidate for the social democrat Libre Party, framed Trump's actions as foreign interference, attacking the U.S. president's decision to involve a controversial figure like Hernández as a ploy to energize conservative voters.

The move has divided opinions on the ground, with sellers like Adalid Ávila and citizens such as Melany Martínez weighing in on whether Trump's actions will influence the outcome. As the nation heads to the polls, concerns about the integrity of the results and the possibility of unrest underscore the charged political atmosphere.

(With inputs from agencies.)