Latin America gains another Trump ally Asfura

 Direct translation

Bad news for Beijing! He was sworn in as president.

—Reassessing relations with China, Latin America gains another Trump ally

Editor: Fang Xun / Source: RFI  / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0128/2340603.html / Image : Honduran President-elect Nasry Asfura was inaugurated in Tegucigalpa. (Reuters - Freddy Rodriguez)

Honduran conservative politician Nasry Asfura was sworn in as president in Congress on 27 January 2026 for a four-year term. His victory, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, adds another political ally to Trump's list in Latin America. Asfra stated that he would review agreements signed with China after taking office; the Central News Agency reported that he had pledged to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan if conditions were right.

AFP reported that the 67-year-old Asfura, speaking at his inauguration ceremony in Congress on Tuesday, said he would abide by the constitution and laws and emphasized serving the country.

Asfura, a former construction entrepreneur, served as mayor of the capital, Tegusigaba, from 2014 to 2022. He won the presidential election by a narrow margin in late November last year. Trump publicly supported Asfura before the election and warned that he would cut aid to Hondura if Asfura lost, raising suspicions of US interference in the election.

The election results were delayed by nearly three weeks, during which time the vote counting process was chaotic, plagued by technical problems and allegations of fraud. Asfula ultimately defeated centrist opponent Salvador Naslaya by a narrow margin of approximately 26,000 votes.

With Asfura's rise to power, backed by Trump, Honduras ended four years of left-wing rule. Following 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 traveled to the United States, meeting with Secretary of State Rubio and announcing that he was pushing for a free trade agreement between Honduras and the United States. The United States is currently Honduras' largest export market, accounting for approximately 60% of its total exports, and the two sides also plan to strengthen cooperation in the security field.

Domestic politics: While Asfura's party is the largest in Congress, it does not hold an absolute majority. He called on all parties to support his policy agenda and stated that he would not allow political stances or ideologies to cause division.

Relations with China and the Taiwan Issue

AFP points out that Asfura's inauguration as President of Honduras comes as the competition for influence between the United States and China in Central America continues.

Under former President Ciomara Castro, Honduras severed ties with Taiwan in 2023 and established diplomatic relations with China. Asfra stated that he will re-examine the agreements signed with China to assess whether they are in Honduras' national interests.

According to economist Castillo, who spoke to AFP, Honduras' imports from China are expected to reach nearly $3 billion in 2024, while exports to China will be less than $40 million, resulting in a severe trade imbalance.

CNA reports that Asfura has pledged to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan if conditions are right. If this policy is implemented, it could be a major diplomatic setback for China in Central America.