Trump-backed businessman Nasry Asfura sworn in as president of Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Trump-backed businessman Nasry Asfura was sworn in Tuesday as president of Honduras, and pledged to create jobs, crack down on crime and improve key social services like education and health care.

The 67-year-old president said he would lead the country “with the full commitment required to deliver real solutions to every corner of our beloved Honduras.”

The inauguration was held in an austere, simple ceremony at Congress without the presence of dignitaries from other nations, though representatives of various countries attended through the diplomatic corps and international organizations.

Asfura’s rise to power was marked with controversy after U.S. President Donald Trump threw his support behind the Honduran conservative in the lead up to the election. Competitors called the elections fraudulent as vote counts dragged on for weeks and Asfura won by less than a 1% lead.

Honduran authorities said Asfura won with 40.27% of the vote, just ahead of conservative competitor Salvador Nasralla with 39.53%. Nasralla maintains he’s the rightful president.

Asfura on Tuesday said he would shrink the size of the state to improve efficiency...