Asfura Assumes Presidency in Honduras, Adding Another Trump Ally in Latin America
Honduran conservative politician Nasry Asfura was sworn in as president on January 27, with a four-year term.
He won the election under the open support of U.S. President Trump, adding another political ally to Trump's influence in Latin America. Asfura stated that upon taking office, he would reassess all agreements signed with China; according to the Central News Agency, he had promised to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan if conditions were favorable.
According to AFP, 67-year-old Asfura said at the presidential inauguration ceremony on Tuesday that he would abide by the constitution and laws, and emphasized his commitment to serving the country.
Asfura, a construction entrepreneur, served as mayor of Tegucigalpa from 2014 to 2022. He won the presidential election last November by a narrow margin. Trump publicly supported Asfura before the election and warned that if he lost, aid to Honduras would be cut, leading to questions about U.S. interference in the election.
The results of this election were delayed for nearly three weeks before being officially announced, during which time the vote counting process was chaotic, accompanied by technical problems and allegations of fraud. Asfura ultimately defeated center-left opponent Salvador Nasralla by a narrow margin of about 26,000 votes.
With Trump-backed Asfura taking power, Honduras ended four years of left-wing rule. Following the emergence of conservative or right-wing governments in Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina, Trump's political influence in Latin America has further expanded.
After his victory, Asfura visited the United States and met with Secretary of State Rubio, announcing that he was pushing for a free trade agreement between Honduras and the United States. The U.S. is currently Honduras' largest export market, accounting for about 60% of its total exports, and both sides plan to strengthen cooperation in the security field.
In domestic politics, although Asfura's party is the largest in Congress, it does not hold an absolute majority. He called on all parties to support his policy plans and stated that he would not let political positions or ideologies cause division.
Relations with China and the Taiwan Issue
AFP noted that as Asfura assumes the presidency of Honduras, the competition between the United States and China for influence in Central America continues.
During the administration of former president Xiomara Castro, Honduras severed ties with Taiwan in 2023 and established diplomatic relations with China. Asfura stated that he would reassess all agreements signed with China to evaluate whether they align with Honduras' national interests.
According to economist Castillo, who spoke to AFP, Honduras imported nearly $3 billion from China in 2024, but its exports to China were less than $40 million, resulting in a severe trade imbalance.
The Central News Agency reported that Asfura had promised to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan if conditions were favorable.
Sources: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855517012236299/
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