Supported by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, conservative Nasry “Tito” Asfura took office this Tuesday (27) as the new president of Honduras for the period 2026–2030 and announced the beginning of a broad fiscal adjustment program, which includes the elimination of 38 public bodies and an austerity policy to reduce State spending.
Asfura’s inauguration took place at the headquarters of the Honduran Parliament, in a discreet ceremony, without the presence of foreign heads of state, an option that, according to those around the new government, symbolizes the commitment to cost containment. The new Honduran government intends to reduce the state structure from 113 to 74 bodies, integrating functions considered essential and eliminating structures with overlapping responsibilities.
The restructuring plan is expected to generate savings estimated at US$567 million. As members of the new government said, part of this amount will be used to pay the State’s outstanding labor commitments.
During the inauguration ceremony, Asfura gave a short and direct speech, with an emphasis on the reduction of the State, security, economy and health.
“I make a solemn promise to comply with the Constitution and the laws, as the sacred commandments say. Honduras, we are here to serve you,” said the new president, as he swore to office with his hand on a Bible.
On his first day in office, Asfura signed a decree determining the sale of the presidential plane acquired during the government of Juan Orlando Hernández.
The new president was elected in the general elections on November 30 last year, in a process marked by political tension and delays in the release of official results. The outgoing president, Xiomara Castro, on the left, did not initially recognize the result, alleging electoral fraud, although she wished the new conservative president “good luck” on the eve of the inauguration.
According to members of the transition team, the complete list of 38 institutions that will be dissolved or incorporated into other departments should be released after the formal installation of the new government, along with the first executive decrees.
Asfura recently visited the United States and Israel to seek partnerships in areas such as investment, infrastructure, energy, agribusiness and technology, identified as priorities for the new government’s economic growth strategy.
