The Leftist Party Alleges U.S. Interference Ahead of Jan. 27 Inauguration

On Wednesday, January 14th, the ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party (Libre) warned that Honduras will have a de facto government starting Jan. 27, when right-wing National Party politician Nasry Asfura, who received the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump in the 2025 elections, is set to be sworn in as president.

“We declare that the next government taking office on Jan. 27 is a de facto government. It is not legal, nor does it have legitimacy. It is the result of direct U.S. interference and the most scandalous fraud,” the Libre party said.

The leftist organization directly blamed the fraud on the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the Electoral Justice Tribunal (TJE), saying that electoral authorities have refused to count the votes and to resolve all challenges.

On Tuesday, former President Manuel Zelaya — Libre’s coordinator and the husband of outgoing Honduran President Xiomara Castro — met with his party’s parliamentary bloc to set its position ahead of the election of the new leadership of Congress. The next legislative term is set to begin Jan. 25.

“We will not endorse pacts of a two-party system that allied itself to carry out electoral fraud, promotes the return of corrupt trust funds, Special Economic Development Zones, the privatization of the state-owned electric company and public assets, and the promotion of hatred against our rank and file, leaders and grassroots organizations,” the Libre party said, announcing it would lead a “firm, constructive and combative opposition.”

The leftist group also recalled that Luis Redondo, the president of Honduras’ congressional board, introduced a decree calling on electoral authorities to conduct a “vote-by-vote” recount at all levels of the Nov. 30 elections.

Although the measure was signed into law by President Castro, Redondo’s initiative has been rejected by various sectors that have described it as “improper,” noting that the CNE has already proclaimed the official election results.

Under Honduras’ Constitution, the CNE and the TJE are autonomous and independent bodies, separate from the three branches of government.

During a ceremony at the Armed Forces, President Castro said that she would remain in power “not one day more, not one day less.” On Tuesday, however, Redondo reiterated his call for a new “vote-by-vote” recount of more than 19,000 electoral tally sheets.

telesurenglish.net