Trump-backed businessman Nasry Asfura sworn in as president of Honduras

Donald Trump-backed candidate Nasry Asfura was sworn in as president of Honduras on January 27, promising to improve social services and crackdown on crime.

Asfura, a member of the National Party, defeated Fredy Zablah of the Liberal Party in November's presidential election. The Trump administration recognized Asfura as the winner, despite concerns from international observers about irregularities in the vote count.

In his inauguration speech, Asfura vowed to put an end to violence and insecurity and improve education, health care, and public transportation. He also pledged to fight corruption and create jobs for Hondurans.

Trump congratulated Asfura on his victory in a phone call, according to the White House. The president has been critical of undocumented immigration from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, known as the Northern Triangle countries, which he blames for fueling gang violence and crime in the United States.

Asfura previously served as mayor of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, from 2014 to 2018. He has a degree in civil engineering from the National Autonomous University of Honduras.

The Trump administration provided significant support for Asfura's campaign, including through the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which is supposed to be independent from political interference. Critics say this violates the principle of journalistic independence and could undermine democratic institutions abroad.

Asfura will serve a four-year term as president of Honduras, one of the poorest countries in Latin America where more than half the population lives in poverty according to World Bank data.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

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