Portrait of Honduras' presidential candidate Nasry Asfura of the National Party, as supporters celebrate in Tegucigalpa.
Trump-backed Nasry Asfura declared winner of Honduras presidency
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Nasry Asfura, the conservative businessman backed by US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday was officially declared winner of the Honduran presidential vote, weeks after a razor-thin election marred by delays and allegations of fraud.
The plenary session of the national electoral council CNE "declares Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah elected for a four-year term," the council's president Ana Paola Hall said.
Asfura, a 67-year-old son of Palestinian immigrants, defeated fellow conservative TV personality Salvador Nasralla, who had demanded a full recount due to alleged irregularities.
The US government swiftly welcomed his election, saying the conservative, who is backed by President Donald Trump, would help stop illegal migration.
"We look forward to working with his incoming administration to advance our bilateral and regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen the economic ties between our two countries," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
Following the lengthy counting process in the Central American country's election, Rubio called on all sides to "respect the confirmed results so that Honduran authorities may swiftly ensure a peaceful transition of authority."
