TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Honduras’ presidential vote count tightened to a virtual tie on Monday between National Party candidate Nasry Asfura and fellow pro-Taiwan contender Salvador Nasralla.

Reuters earlier reported that with 56% of ballots counted, Asfura had 40% of the vote, leading Liberal Party candidate Nasralla’s 39.78% by 4,100 ballots, per CNA. Liberty and Refoundation Party candidate Rixi Moncada ranked third with 19.18%.

However, Bloomberg reported that with 57% of polling stations tallied, Asfura’s advantage had narrowed significantly over Nasralla, a former sports anchor and current vice president. Honduras’ electoral authority said that the rapid count resulted in a “technical tie,” with only 515 votes separating the two leading candidates.

The election was held on Sunday, and earlier preliminary data showed a larger gap of roughly two percentage points between the top two candidates. The winner will lead Honduras from 2026 to 2030.

Outgoing President Xiomara Castro reposted a message from her husband, former president Manuel Zelaya, on X, urging the public to remain vigilant while awaiting the final count.

Monday morning, the online system that was supposed to update vote-counting results malfunctioned. The website was inaccessible for an extended period.

Ahead of the vote, Trump intervened in the tight race, posting a series of messages on his Truth Social platform endorsing Asfura, saying he could work with him to combat drug trafficking. He also warned that “if he doesn't win, the United States will not be throwing good money after bad.”

On Friday, Trump said he would pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is serving a 45-year sentence in the US for drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession. Hernandez, who governed from 2014 to 2022, is also a member of the conservative National Party.

Asfura and Nasralla have both indicated they may restore diplomatic ties with Taiwan if elected. Honduras severed ties with Taiwan in 2023.