Honduras President,Juan Orlando Hernández declared himself re-elected on Tuesday despite calls from the Organization of American States (OAS) for a fresh vote over allegations of fraud and deadly protests following last month’s disputed election.
In Washington, his opposition asked the United States and others to reject the result and cut off aid, warning that protests in which more than 20 people have died could escalate into generalized violence unless there is a new election.
The opposition alliance said it would file a legal challenge to the country’s electoral tribunal’s verdict that President Juan Orlando Hernandez won the Nov. 26 election.
Hernandez spoke for the first time since the tribunal issued that verdict on Sunday. A partial recount did not tip the result in favour of his opponent, TV host Salvador Nasralla, the tribunal said.
Hernandez, who is an ally of the United States, said in a televised address that he would bring “peace, harmony and prosperity” to the poor Central American nation.
“As a citizen and president-elect of all Hondurans, I humbly accept the will of the Honduran people,” said Hernandez, a conservative who has led a military crackdown on the country’s violent gangs.
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