Newly inaugurated Honduran President Nasry Asfura smiles after his inauguration ceremony on the 27th (local time). [TEGUCIGALPA AFP=Yonhap News]

Nasry 'Tito' Asfura (67), the new President of Honduras, who won the presidential election with the public endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump (79), began his four-year term on the 27th (local time).

At the Honduran National Congress in the capital, Tegucigalpa, President Asfura took the oath of office and appealed to the nation for reconciliation and unity, urging to mend the social divisions that marred the past campaign period, which was stained with "insults and hatred."

The event was broadcast live by major Honduran TV channels, including Televicentro, via their YouTube channels.

Unlike past presidential inaugurations held in large stadiums, local media reported that President Asfura chose the National Congress building as the venue, citing the need for "frugality." Foreign heads of state or special envoys for celebrations were also not invited.

President Asfura, who is of Palestinian descent, is a prominent figure in the local construction industry and served as the mayor of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras (2014-2022). He is politically classified as right-wing.

He succeeded in achieving a change in government in last year's presidential election in Honduras, a country with a population of 10 million (6.5 million voters), by narrowly defeating a centrist opposition candidate for second place. The candidate from the ruling left-wing party was relegated to third place.

However, the announcement of the president-elect was delayed for over three weeks due to technical difficulties during the vote counting process, allegations of electoral fraud, and protests, indicating a tumultuous period.

Supporters celebrate the inauguration of President Asfura on the 27th (local time). [TEGUCIGALPA EPA=Yonhap News]

The controversy over foreign pressure related to U.S. President Trump's "public endorsement of Asfura" also stirred considerable debate.

Just before the Honduran presidential election, President Trump posted on social media expressing his wish for the Honduran people to elect Asfura as president, implicitly threatening to halt U.S. financial aid to Honduras if Asfura lost the election.

The outgoing Honduran President Xiomara Castro (66) strongly criticized this and approved a parliamentary motion demanding a recount. However, the Honduran National Electoral Council stated that this was "unconstitutional" and refused to comply.

The new Honduran government has set the improvement of poverty rates and the reduction of crime rates as its main objectives.

The international community is closely watching for potential changes in diplomatic strategy towards China and Taiwan.

In March 2023, Honduras broke ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China, recognizing the 'One China' principle. The severance of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Honduras was the first in 82 years since 1941.

However, the newly elected President Asfura hinted at the possibility of restoring relations with Taiwan during his candidacy.

AFP reported that "the U.S. expulsion of Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, an ally of China, is being interpreted as a warning to other Latin American countries about which camp to choose."