US President Donald Trump's endorsement of a right-wing presidential candidate in Honduras was accompanied by intimidation tactics from the notorious gang MS-13, according to eyewitness accounts. The president's support for candidate Nasry "Tito" Asfura was seen as an attempt to sway the election in his favor.
MS-13 members allegedly intimidated voters into casting their ballots for Asfura, threatening those who voted for the left-leaning Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) party with violence or death. Gang members even used mototaxi services to transport voters to polling sites, where they would be pressured into voting for Asfura.
The intimidation campaign was seen as a key factor in Asfura's narrow lead over LIBRE candidate Salvador Nasralla in the election results, which remain undecided. The Honduran government has pointed to other electoral irregularities as contributing factors to LIBRE's loss.
Trump's endorsement of Asfura has been criticized by human rights groups and officials in Honduras, who argue that the US president is attempting to exert undue influence over the country's elections. The Honduran attorney general has announced an investigation into election irregularities, while a European Union electoral mission report recognized that intimidation and disinformation were key factors in the election.
MS-13 was formed in the 1980s in Los Angeles and has since evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise with ties to high-level traffickers and state officials. The gang's influence extends far beyond Honduras, with links to other countries in Central America and the US.
The intimidation campaign by MS-13 has raised concerns about the role of organized crime groups in Honduran politics, as well as the extent to which Trump's administration is willing to intervene in foreign elections. Cerpas, the leader of the Honduran national emergency call system, warned that the election was "coerced" and that MS-13 members were "pushing people to vote for Asfura."
Asfura has long been backed by Trump, who has previously described the gang as a "menace." However, some have questioned why Trump would support an ally with ties to such a notorious gang. The incident highlights the challenges of US foreign policy in Central America and the need for greater transparency and accountability when it comes to elections and foreign influence.
In Honduras, gangs like MS-13 have long been involved in extortion, murder, and other forms of organized crime. However, the election interference allegations represent a new level of concern for human rights groups and officials in Honduras.
Trump's actions have sparked concerns about his own influence on the Honduran government and the potential for US foreign policy to be used as a tool for domestic politics. As the election results are finalized, it remains to be seen whether LIBRE will ultimately claim victory or if Asfura's narrow lead holds.
For Cerpas, the incident represents a clear sign of organized crime groups exerting influence over Honduran elections. "There is clear and resounding evidence that this electoral process was coerced by organized crime groups," she said.
Trump's involvement in the election has sparked intense debate about his role in Honduras and the potential for US foreign policy to be used as a tool for domestic politics. As the outcome of the election hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: the intimidation campaign by MS-13 will not be forgotten anytime soon.
MS-13 members allegedly intimidated voters into casting their ballots for Asfura, threatening those who voted for the left-leaning Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) party with violence or death. Gang members even used mototaxi services to transport voters to polling sites, where they would be pressured into voting for Asfura.
The intimidation campaign was seen as a key factor in Asfura's narrow lead over LIBRE candidate Salvador Nasralla in the election results, which remain undecided. The Honduran government has pointed to other electoral irregularities as contributing factors to LIBRE's loss.
Trump's endorsement of Asfura has been criticized by human rights groups and officials in Honduras, who argue that the US president is attempting to exert undue influence over the country's elections. The Honduran attorney general has announced an investigation into election irregularities, while a European Union electoral mission report recognized that intimidation and disinformation were key factors in the election.
MS-13 was formed in the 1980s in Los Angeles and has since evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise with ties to high-level traffickers and state officials. The gang's influence extends far beyond Honduras, with links to other countries in Central America and the US.
The intimidation campaign by MS-13 has raised concerns about the role of organized crime groups in Honduran politics, as well as the extent to which Trump's administration is willing to intervene in foreign elections. Cerpas, the leader of the Honduran national emergency call system, warned that the election was "coerced" and that MS-13 members were "pushing people to vote for Asfura."
Asfura has long been backed by Trump, who has previously described the gang as a "menace." However, some have questioned why Trump would support an ally with ties to such a notorious gang. The incident highlights the challenges of US foreign policy in Central America and the need for greater transparency and accountability when it comes to elections and foreign influence.
In Honduras, gangs like MS-13 have long been involved in extortion, murder, and other forms of organized crime. However, the election interference allegations represent a new level of concern for human rights groups and officials in Honduras.
Trump's actions have sparked concerns about his own influence on the Honduran government and the potential for US foreign policy to be used as a tool for domestic politics. As the election results are finalized, it remains to be seen whether LIBRE will ultimately claim victory or if Asfura's narrow lead holds.
For Cerpas, the incident represents a clear sign of organized crime groups exerting influence over Honduran elections. "There is clear and resounding evidence that this electoral process was coerced by organized crime groups," she said.
Trump's involvement in the election has sparked intense debate about his role in Honduras and the potential for US foreign policy to be used as a tool for domestic politics. As the outcome of the election hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: the intimidation campaign by MS-13 will not be forgotten anytime soon.
The whole thing with Donald Trump's endorsement and the MS-13 gang being involved in Honduras' election is so messed up. It's like, what's next? Will they start influencing elections in other countries too? 
And it's crazy that they used mototaxi services to transport voters to polling sites and intimidate them into voting for Asfura. That's straight-up voter suppression! 
It's like, what are we even doing here? 
ms-13 is like, super notorious 
what's going on here? it's not cool that they're intimidating voters into voting for someone or else 
. and now the election results are all up in the air 
. trump needs to explain why he's backing asfura when there's a known gang involved 
. this whole situation is just weird 
what's going on with these gangs? how far do they reach? 
also, Cerpas' statement about the electoral process being coerced by organized crime groups is so true 
I mean, if trump's just gonna support a candidate with ties to MS-13 then that's a huge red flag 
. Asfura's support is all well and good, but the fact that MS-13 was involved in this way is like, super sketchy 
. And now we're left wonderin' if he actually had any idea about what was goin' on or if he just kinda rolled with it and hoped for the best 
. Either way, it's all pretty shady, if you ask me 
. Fingers crossed for LIBRE! 
... Trump's endorsement of Nasry "Tito" Asfura and the involvement of MS-13 in intimidating voters is a huge red flag. I mean, can you believe that Trump actually described MS-13 as a "menace" back in 2017? 
Now he's supporting someone with ties to the gang? It just doesn't add up.
the eu was right to say that intimidation and disinfo were key factors in the election. its time for trump to take responsibility for his actions and stop trying to exert his influence over other countries' elections