Xiomara Castro has been elected the first female President of Honduras in Central America.
Following an election held at the end of last month, Castro opened up a big lead over Nasry Asfura, the candidate from the governing National Party. On Tuesday Asfura conceded to Castro, making her the first woman to lead Honduras.
Castro, of the Libre (Free) Party will succeed Juan Orlando Hernandez, of the National Party. Hernandez, who was first elected in 2013, proved to be a divisive figure, and has been accused of links to drug traffickers after his brother, Antonio, was sentenced to life in prison for drug smuggling.
This was Castro’s second attempt at the Presidency, having lost in 2013 and having stood for Vice-president in 2017. She is the wife of a former President, Manuel Zelaya, who was overthrown in a coup in 2009.
Castro will take office early next year and will be the first President who is not from the National or Liberal parties, which have dominated Honduran politics since the 1980s.
Castro will have an immense task ahead of her, with Honduras considered one of the world’s ‘narco-states’ – countries where drug runners and traffickers have significant influence over the government.