Conservative candidate Nasry Asfura won Honduras' tight presidential election, according to election results from Wednesday. Asfura announced during his campaign that he would reinstate official diplomatic relations with Taiwan if elected, pointing out that Honduras' situation was “a hundred times better than it is now" when it officially recognized Taiwan previously.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) responded Tuesday, stating that it respects the results of Honduras' election, and urged the president-elect to act in the best interest of the people when implementing new policies. 

Honduras' election was closely watched by countries around the world, as both a litmus test of US President Trump's influence in South America, and China's ability to transform diplomatic recognition into substantive influence.

While both front-runners for the election were to the right, Trump publicly endorsed Asfura during the election over his center-right opponent Salvador Nasralla in an attempt to consolidate a South American bloc friendly to US interests, according to analysts. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already endorsed Asfura, following news of his win, and urged all parties to respect the election results.

As for foreign policy, both candidates had vowed to reinstate relations with Taiwan after outgoing president Xiomara Castro officially severed them in 2023 in favor of China, though both also underscored this as an economic decision rather than a political statement. 

Throughout the election, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry maintained its open, pragmatic stance, stating that it is willing to engage with all countries without preconditions. However, it made no further comment on the election results at time of writing.

In early December, the ministry said it would actively promote anything that benefits Taiwan's national interests, with MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (小光伟) saying that the ministry's open attitude was a reflection of the Allies Prosperity Project, and applicable to countries around the world, including Honduras.