2021 Honduran general election explained

Country:	Honduras
Flag Year:	1949
Previous Election:	2017 Honduran general election
Previous Year:	2017
Registered:	5,182,425
Turnout:	69.09% (11.60pp)
Ongoing:	no
Next Election:	2025 Honduran general election
Next Year:	2025
Module:	Embed: yes Election Name: Presidential election Type: presidential Vote Type: Popular Image1: Xiomara Castro 2023 (cropped).jpg Nominee1: Xiomara Castro Party1: Libre Running Mate1: Salvador Nasralla Popular Vote1: 1,716,793 Percentage1: 51.12% Nominee2: Nasry Asfura Party2: National Party of Honduras Running Mate2: Mireya Agüero Popular Vote2: 1,240,260 Percentage2: 36.93% Image3: Yani Rosenthal en octubre de 2020.png Nominee3: Yani Rosenthal Party3: Liberal Party of Honduras Popular Vote3: 335,762 Percentage3: 10.00% President Before Election: Juan Orlando Hernández Before Party: National Party of Honduras After Election: Xiomara Castro After Party: Libre Module: Embed: yes Ongoing: no Election Name: Parliamentary election Seats For Election: All 128 seats in the National Congress Majority Seats: 65 Leader1: Manuel Zelaya Party1: Liberty and Refoundation Last Election1: 30 Seats1: 50 Percentage1: 40.23 Leader2: David Chávez Party2: National Party of Honduras Last Election2: 61 Seats2: 44 Percentage2: 30.18 Leader3: Salvador Nasralla Party3: Savior Party of Honduras Last Election3: New Seats3: 10 Percentage3: 12.73 Leader4: Yani Rosenthal Party4: Liberal Party of Honduras Last Election4: 26 Seats4: 22 Percentage4: 11.14 Leader5: Marco Antonio Reyes Party5: Christian Democratic Party of Honduras Last Election5: 1 Seats5: 1 Percentage5: 0.96 Leader6: Marlene Alvarenga Party6: Anti-Corruption Party Last Election6: 1 Seats6: 1 Percentage6: 0.79 President of the Congress Before Election: Mauricio Oliva Before Party: National Party of Honduras After Election: Luis Redondo After Party: Savior Party of Honduras

General elections were held in Honduras on 28 November 2021. Among the positions being contested was the President of Honduras, head of state and head of government of Honduras, to replace Juan Orlando Hernández from the National Party. Also up for election were the 128 deputies of the National Congress, 20 deputies to the, 298 mayors and 298 vice mayors, as well as 2,092 council members.

Following the election, Nasry Asfura of the National Party and Xiomara Castro of Libre both declared victory as votes were being counted. On 30 November 2021, Asfura and the National Party conceded to Castro. Castro's win made her the first female president-elect of Honduras, the person with the most votes obtained in the history of Honduras, and ended 12 years of conservative National Party rule. She also became the first President elected from a party other than the National Party, Liberal Party, or their predecessors.

Background

Incumbent president Juan Orlando Hernández was first elected in 2013 after defeating Xiomara Castro, and re-elected in 2017 after orchestrating an amendment to Constitution of Honduras to allow for his reelection.^[1] There were large protests against Hernandez following the 2017 elections,^[2] which the OAS stated contained numerous irregularities.

Electoral system

The President of Honduras is elected by plurality, with the candidate receiving the most votes in a single round of voting declared the winner.^[3] The 128 members of the National Congress are elected by open list proportional representation from 18 multi-member constituencies based on the departments ranging in size from one to 23 seats.^[4] Seats are allocated using the Hare quota.

Primary elections

Party primaries were held on 14 March 2021 to elect which candidates would represent each party.^[5]

Movements		Candidates	Votes	Total	Map
National Party (PNH)
	Unity and Hope	Nasry Asfura	681,701 (70.12%)	Valid votes: 972,139 Invalid votes: 86,369 Blank Votes: 108,791 Total: 1,167,299 (46.53%)
	Together We Can		290,438 (29.88%)
Liberal Party (PLH)
	Yanista Movement	Yani Rosenthal	339,001 (49.97%)	Valid votes: 678,370 Invalid votes: 41,460 Blank Votes: 58,867 Total: 778,697 (31.04%)
	Recover Honduras		230,242 (33.94%)
	The Hope of Honduras	Darío Banegas	109,127 (16.09%)
Liberty and Refoundation (Libre)
	Somos+	Xiomara Castro	404,238 (79.08%)	Valid votes: 511,201 Invalid votes: 26,123 Blank Votes: 25,106 Total: 562,430 (22.43%)
	M-28 Power for You
	Popular Refoundation Force FRP
	People Organized in Resistance POR
	Free People
	AAAMEL
	5 July Movement	Nelson Ávila	58,995 (11.54%)
	Nueva Corriente	Carlos Eduardo Reina	25,368 (4.96%)
	Free Honduras	Wilfredo Méndez	22,600 (4.42%)
Total				2,508,426 (100.00%)
Source: National Electoral Council

Candidates

Nasry Asfura

Nasry Asfura is the current mayor of Honduras's capital, Tegucigalpa, and a member of the ruling right-wing National Party of Honduras. During the campaign, Asfura distanced himself from former President Juan Orlando Hernandez's alleged involvement within drug trafficking schemes engaged by his brother. Asfura is known by his supporters as "Papi a la orden" or "Daddy at your service."^[6]

Asfura prioritized upgrades to infrastructure and job creation. In addition, Asfura pledged support towards the business, health, education, and manufacturing sectors.

Xiomara Castro

Xiomara Castro, the First Lady of Honduras from 2006 to 2009, was the presidential candidate for the left-wing Liberty and Refoundation (Libre) party in the 2013 general election, finishing in second place. She founded the party with her husband Manuel Zelaya after he was deposed in the 2009 Honduran coup d'état.

Her thirty-point campaign platform includes a referendum on a new constitution, the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, the creation of a UN-backed anti-corruption commission modeled on the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) and advancing women's rights. On economic issues, she opposes the ZEDES semi-autonomous free trade zones promoted by Juan Orlando Hernández and supports social programs to fight poverty while maintaining good relations with the private sector. She also proposes the reform of the Security, Defense, Coalition, and Secrecy Laws.^{[7] [8]}

Yani Rosenthal

Yani Rosenthal is a longtime member of the centrist Liberal Party of Honduras. He is a businessman and was sentenced to three years in a US prison for laundering drug money, being released in 2020 just in time to begin his presidential campaign.

Withdrawn candidates

• Milton Benítez, independent candidate who withdrew to support Xiomara Castro^[9]
• Salvador Nasralla, a candidate in 2013 and 2017, was planning to run as the candidate of the Savior Party of Honduras, but withdrew from the election on 13 October to become Castro's running mate.^[10]
• Santos Rodriguez Orellana, independent candidate who was arrested under drug trafficking and homicide charges.^[11]

Opinion polls

Pollster	Date	Sample size	Nasry Asfura	Xiomara Castro	Salvador Nasralla	Yani Rosenthal	Other	Undecided/ abstention
2021 election	28 November 2021	—	36.4	50.6	—	10.0	3.0	—
	LeVote^[12]	Exit-Poll	—	35.1	50.5	—	12.0	2.4	—
TResearch^[13]	22–25 November 2021	1,000	28.2	42.9	—	4.0	2.9	22.1
Paradigma^[14]	14–26 October 2021	3,463	27.7	25.7	—	6.6	2	38
CESPAD	14–20 October 2021	1,726	21	38	—	3	5	33
Nasralla withdrew on 13 October 2021
Paradigma^[15]	30 September 2021	3,355	22.7	18.7	10.1	5.5	2.7	40.3
CID-Gallup^[16]	10 September 2021	1,288	21	18	18	13	2	28
TResearch^[17]	8–9 September 2021	1,000	30.9	31.8	15.8	9.3	2.2	9.9
Paradigma^[18]	11–26 August 2021	4,446	15.0	13.8	7.5	4.8	0.6	58.5
Paradigma^[19]	28 June–13 July 2021	3,003	12.4	12.9	7.1	6.1	1.3	60.2
CESPAD^[20]	13 April–7 May 2021	1,888	14.9	11.7	7.9	6.6	7.6	51.1
Primary elections held on 14 March 2021
C&E Research^[21]	2 March 2021	600	14.2	13.8	15.5	14.1	—	42.4

Results

Both Asfura and Castro declared victory on election night as votes continued to be counted.^[22] On 30 November 2021, Asfura's National Party conceded defeat to Castro.^[23] Asfura announced in a statement that he met with Castro and her family to congratulate her win.^[24]

Castro's victory marked the end of 12 years of National Party control of the presidency, following the constitutional crisis and the subsequent coup d'état that ousted Castro's husband in 2009. Castro is the first female president of Honduras.

National Congress

(As each voter can cast as many as 23 votes, the number of valid votes far exceeds the number of eligible voters. As some voters have multiple votes and others cast just one, overall party vote share is not necessarily reflective of support on the ground.)

Parlacen

Reactions

International

• Organization of American States: the head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the OAS, Luis Guillermo Solís, remarked the responsibility with which Hondurans voted in an "atmosphere of peace and civility" and that the three majority political forces of the country contributed to celebrate "a peaceful election day". Even so, he regretted that an agreement was not reached to reform the electoral law and that the deficiencies detected must be improved.^[25]
• Canada

The Government of Canada congratulated Castro for being the first woman President-elect. Canada states that they are looking forward to work with Castro on several priorities, particularly democracy, inclusivity, abortion, and reducing corruption.^[26]

• Nicaragua

The President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega and his Vice President Rosario Murillo congratulated among the first the candidate Xiomara Castro through an official statement published on 29 November 2021, stating: "Dear Xiomara, Dear Brothers: We salute with much respect and appreciation the progress towards the electoral triumph in Dear Honduras, where that Brother People lives the hope of better times. ... In our closeness and good neighborhood, we continue determined to advance creating the future.".^[27]

• Spain

The Government of Spain congratulated Xiomara Castro on her victory, which is "symbolising the achievements in the struggle for the equality of Honduran women". He also praised Castro's message of "reconciliation, peace and justice" in her victory speech and the Honduran people for a "smooth" election.^[28]

• United States

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Castro on her win following Asfura's concession. In a statement, he expressed congratulations to Castro for becoming the first female president of Honduras.^{[29] [30]}

President Nicolás Maduro expressed through Twitter his congratulations to Castro for her "historic victory".^[31]

National

• David Chávez, President of the National Party of Honduras announced that the party will contribute to a constructive opposition and that they were ready to work with the new government.^[32]

Aftermath

A few months after the election and the end of Hernández's term, it was revealed that on 1 July 2021, Hernández had his visa revoked by the U.S. Department of State, due to involvements in corruption and in the illegal drug trade.^{[33] [34]} On 14 February 2022, he was surrounded by the national police and DEA agents at his home in Tegucigalpa, after the U.S. government had requested his extradition for his involvement with narcotics.^{[35] [36] [37]} On 15 February 2022, he agreed to surrender to US authorities,^[38] and on 21 April, Hernández was extradited to the United States.^[39] On 8 March 2024, Hernández was convicted of three counts of drug trafficking and weapons conspiracy, the mandatory minimum sentence for which is 40 years in prison.^[40]

Notes and References

1. News: Kahn. Carrie. 27 November 2021. Honduran voters want to protest the president. Their options are a cast of characters. en. NPR. 29 November 2021.
2. News: Cuevas. Freddy. 15 December 2017. Opposition blocks highways after Honduras presidential vote. AP News. 29 November 2021.
3. Web site: Elections: Honduras Presidential Nov 09. 6 April 2021. IFES Election Guide.
4. Web site: Elections: Honduras National Congress. 6 April 2021. IFES Election Guide.
5. Web site: Meet the Candidates: Honduras. 6 April 2021. Americas Quarterly. en-US.
6. News: Palencia . Gustavo . Honduran ruling party hopeful Asfura faces uphill climb . 1 December 2021 . . 26 November 2021 . en.
7. News: Could Honduras Shift Left? A Look at Xiomara Castro. Americas Quarterly. 14 October 2021. Brendan. O'Boyle.
8. News: 'No pondré ni un solo impuesto al pueblo hondureño'. La Prensa. 6 September 2021.
9. Web site: Milton Benítez, 'Perro amarillo', de Honduras Humana, se une a Xiomara Castro. 2021-12-04. Diario El Heraldo. es-HN.
10. Web site: Last Minute Alliance Shifts Honduras Election Scene . El Faro. Havana Times . 30 November 2021 . 18 October 2021.
11. Web site: Deutsche Welle. Honduras: arrestan a Santos Rodríguez Orellana por narcotráfico y homicidio. 5 November 2021. 29 November 2021. es-ES.
12. Web site: 28 November 2021. Encuesta a boca de urna de LeVote le da ventaja a Xiomara Castro. 28 November 2021. La Tribuna. es.
13. Web site: Carlos Penna . 25 November 2021. ASÍ VAN HONDURAS: XIOMARA CASTRO A LA CABEZA. 26 November 2021. TResearch. es.
14. Web site: 27 October 2021. En su última encuesta del proceso electoral actual, Paradigma declara empate técnico entre Nasry Asfura y Xiomara Castro. 28 October 2021. HCH.TV. es.
15. Web site: Coello. Ingris. 30 September 2021. A menos de dos meses de las elecciones generales, Nasry Asfura es el candidato favorito para la presidencia de Honduras, según el estudio #90 de la firma Encuestadora Paradigma. 5 October 2021. Diario Paradigma. es.
16. Web site: CID Gallup: la mayoría cree que Nasry Asfura será el presidente. 13 October 2021. www.laprensa.hn. es-HN.
17. Web site: Carlos Penna. 11 September 2021. ASÍ VAN HONDURAS: XIOMARA CASTRO A LA CABEZA. 11 October 2021. TResearch. es.
18. Web site: Nasry Asfura y Xiomara Castro, siguen como favoritos para ganar las elecciones generales, según el estudio #89 de la firma Encuestadora Paradigma. Fanny. Zelaya. 30 August 2021.
19. Web site: A cuatro meses de las elecciones generales, Xiomara Castro aventaja con estrecho margen la candidatura a la presidencia, según el estudio #88 de la firma Encuestadora Paradigma. Ingris. Coello. 22 July 2021.
20. Web site: Análisis: Fragmentación y necesidad de articulación política: un análisis sobre la fidelidad partidaria y la intención del voto en Honduras . CESPAD. 21 May 2021. es. 28 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028164837/https://cespad.org.hn/2021/05/13/analisis-fragmentacion-y-necesidad-de-articulacion-politica-un-analisis-sobre-la-fidelidad-partidaria-y-la-intencion-del-voto-en-honduras/. dead.
21. Web site: 3 March 2021. Honduras. Destino 21. Marzo 2021. 1 June 2021. ceonline. es.
22. News: Opposition leads after 'massive' turnout in Honduras election . 1 December 2021 . . 30 November 2021 . en.
23. News: Leftist candidate Xiomara Castro set to become Honduras's first female president . 1 December 2021 . . Thomson Reuters . 30 November 2021.
24. News: Xiomara Castro Edges Closer to Honduran Presidency as Opponent Concedes . 1 December 2021 . . . 1 December 2021.
25. News: La misión de la OEA destaca que los hondureños votaron con "responsabilidad" en un "ambiente de paz y civilidad". 1 December 2021 . Europa Press. 1 December 2021 . es.
26. Web site: "Congratulations @XiomaraCastroZ..." . . 3 December 2021.
27. News: Gobierno de Nicaragua saluda avance hacia el Triunfo Electoral en Honduras . 3 December 2021 . La Voz del Sandinismo . 29 November 2021 . es . 3 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203164549/https://www.lavozdelsandinismo.com/nicaragua/2021-11-29/gobierno-de-nicaragua-saluda-avance-hacia-el-triunfo-electoral-en-honduras/ . dead .
28. Web site: The Government of Spain congratulates the President-elect of Honduras. 1 December 2021. . 1 December 2021.
29. News: Honduras to get first female president after ruling party concedes defeat . 1 December 2021 . . . 1 December 2021 . en.
30. Web site: The Election in Honduras . . 3 December 2021.
31. News: Maduro felicita a Xiomara Castro por su "histórica victoria" en las elecciones en Honduras. 1 December 2021 . Europa Press. 29 November 2021 . es.
32. News: Honduras set for first woman president as ruling party concedes election defeat. Reuters. 30 November 2021 . es. David. Alire Garcia. Gustavo. Palencia.
33. Web site: Blinken . Antony J. . Antony Blinken . 7 February 2022 . U.S. Actions Against Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez for Corruption . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220207212314/https://www.state.gov/u-s-actions-against-former-honduran-president-juan-orlando-hernandez-for-corruption/ . 7 February 2022 . 7 February 2022 . U.S. Department of State.
34. Web site: CNN: EE UU pide en extradición a Juan Orlando Hernández . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215032340/https://www.laprensa.hn/honduras/cnn-ee-uu-pide-en-extradicion-a-juan-orlando-hernandez-YD5775098 . 15 February 2022 . 2022-02-15 . www.laprensa.hn . es-HN.
35. Web site: Estados Unidos pide la extradición del expresidente hondureño Juan Orlando Hernández, según fuentes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215031302/https://www.univision.com/noticias/america-latina/estados-unidos-pide-la-extradicion-del-expresidente-hondureno-hernandez-fuentes . 15 February 2022 . 2022-02-15 . Univision . spanish.
36. Web site: U.S. requests extradition of ex Honduran president Hernandez - sources . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215032258/https://www.univision.com/univision-news/latin-america/univision-sources-confirm-the-u-s-has-requested-the-extradition-of-former-honduran-president-hernandez . 15 February 2022 . 2022-02-15 . Univision . spanish.
37. Web site: El expresidente hondureño Hernández es capturado tras la petición de EE.UU. por narcotráfico . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215204222/https://www.efe.com/efe/espana/mundo/el-expresidente-hondureno-hernandez-es-capturado-tras-la-peticion-de-ee-uu-por-narcotrafico/10001-4740520 . 15 February 2022 . 2022-02-15 . EFE . spanish.
38. News: February 15, 2022 . Ex-Honduras president agrees to extradition to the US . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215230830/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/15/americas/honduras-hernandez-president-extradition-us-intl/index.html . 15 February 2022 . 16 February 2022 . CNN . 1.
39. News: Brigida . Anna Catherine . Sieff . Kevin . Sheridan . Mary Beth . Chaoul . Alejandra Ibarra . April 21, 2022 . Honduras ex-president Juan Orlando Hernández extradited to U.S. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220421203235/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/21/honduras-president-hernandez-extradited/ . 21 April 2022 . April 21, 2022 . The Washington Post.
40. Web site: Ernst . Jeff . March 8, 2024 . 'He paved a cocaine superhighway': ex-Honduran president convicted in New York trafficking trial . March 8, 2024 . The Guardian.