Nasry Asfura, a conservative politician of Palestinian descent who was backed by US President Donald Trump in a contentious election, will become the next leader of Honduras, the Central American country's electoral body said on Wednesday.
The result came after weeks of delay following the November 30 election that was beset by technical problems, delays and fraud allegations.
The electoral authority said Mr Asfura had won 40.3 per cent of the vote, edging out centre-right Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla who garnered 39.5 per cent. The candidate of the ruling Libre party, Rixi Moncada, came a distant third.
Mr Asfura is a 67-year-old politician and businessman who is the former mayor of the capital Tegucigalpa. He is a Palestinian Christian whose family moved to Honduras in the 1940s. Many Central and South American countries are home to large Arab and Palestinian communities. Mr Nasralla is also of Palestinian descent.
“Honduras: I am ready to govern.
Continue Reading on The National UAE
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.