By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a decisive diplomatic maneuver, Costa Rica has taken a leading role within an eight-nation Latin American coalition to firmly condemn a move by Honduran President Xiomara Castro that threatens to plunge the neighboring country into a severe political crisis. The alliance is pushing back against a presidential decree ordering a complete recount of the November general election, a move critics label an unprecedented overreach of executive power.
The stability of the Central American isthmus hangs in the balance as this coalition, described by observers as a “regional democratic shield,” presented a unified front. The joint communiqué, issued from Lima, Peru on January 10, 2026, calls on the Honduran government to honor the certified results and ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial ramifications of the ongoing crisis in Honduras, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise offers a crucial perspective on the stability and investment climate in the region.
The current situation in Honduras underscores a critical principle for international investors: political stability is the bedrock of legal certainty. When governance is in flux, contractual obligations, property rights, and regulatory frameworks become unpredictable. This erosion of confidence not only deters new foreign direct investment but also places existing operations at significant risk, creating a ripple effect that can be felt across the Central American economic bloc.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s analysis serves as a crucial reminder that the health of our regional economy is intrinsically linked to the stability of its legal and political institutions. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and valuable perspective on this critical matter.
The group, which includes Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, and the Dominican Republic alongside Costa Rica, explicitly denounced President Castro’s decree. They argue it constitutes a severe blow to Honduras’s institutional framework.
This is a direct intervention that ignores the authority of the National Electoral Council and threatens to shatter the country’s institutional order.
Eight-Nation Coalition, Joint Communiqué
The diplomatic firestorm was ignited after Honduras’s National Electoral Council (CNE) officially declared Nasry “Tito” Asfura of the conservative National Party as the president-elect. Asfura secured 40.27% of the vote, narrowly defeating Salvador Nasralla by a margin of just 0.74%, which translates to approximately 27,000 ballots. Despite the tight race, international observation missions validated the electoral process and the official count.
Disregarding the CNE’s authority, outgoing President Xiomara Castro utilized a Council of Ministers session to issue a decree demanding a “vote by vote” recount. The Honduran opposition immediately decried the action, framing it as a blatant power grab designed to favor Castro’s preferred candidate, Rixi Moncada.
This is nothing less than an attempted electoral coup.
Honduran Opposition Leadership
From an analytical perspective, Costa Rica’s prominent role in this diplomatic stand has several critical implications. Firstly, it reinforces the principle of institutional independence, arguing that only the CNE has the legal authority to manage and certify election results. The coalition contends that when an executive branch unilaterally orders recounts, the fundamental separation of powers ceases to exist, opening the door to authoritarianism.
Secondly, the eight nations explicitly condemned recent attacks on opposition members in Honduras, linking the “political violence” to an effort to intimidate those defending the official election outcome. The statement is not merely a procedural defense but a clear endorsement of President-elect Nasry Asfura, who is scheduled for inauguration on January 27. Reinforcing this stance, Asfura traveled to the United States on Sunday to meet with senior officials at the Inter-American Development Bank and is expected to connect with members of the Donald Trump administration, which had publicly supported his candidacy.
For Costa Rica, the stakes are profoundly high. A peaceful and orderly transition of power in Honduras is considered vital to regional stability. The foreign ministry in San José is keenly aware that political chaos in Tegucigalpa could trigger a new wave of migration and severely disrupt the flow of commerce through the crucial Central American trade corridor. The message from Costa Rican diplomats has been unequivocal: the will of the Honduran people, as expressed at the ballot box on November 30, is non-negotiable.
The situation remains a political minefield. The Electoral Justice Tribunal (TJE) of Honduras has a deadline of January 20 to resolve any final legal challenges, a mere week before the scheduled inauguration. As the clock ticks down, the region watches to see if this strong international backing will empower the Honduran people and their institutions to defend their democracy against an unprecedented challenge from within.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE)
About Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE):
The National Electoral Council of Honduras is the autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering electoral processes in the country. Its duties include organizing, directing, and supervising elections, referendums, and plebiscites, as well as declaring the official results and proclaiming the winners.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Nacional de Honduras
About Partido Nacional de Honduras:
The National Party of Honduras is a major conservative political party in the country. Founded in 1902, it is one of the two most powerful political forces in Honduras and advocates for policies centered on nationalism, conservatism, and economic liberalism.
For further information, visit iadb.org
About Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
The Inter-American Development Bank is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance, and conducts extensive research to support its member countries in reducing poverty and inequality.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Tribunal de Justicia Electoral (TJE)
About Tribunal de Justicia Electoral (TJE):
The Electoral Justice Tribunal of Honduras is the specialized judicial body with jurisdiction over electoral matters. It is responsible for resolving disputes, appeals, and challenges arising from the electoral process, ensuring the legality and fairness of elections and protecting the political rights of citizens.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has forged its reputation on the twin pillars of uncompromising integrity and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Serving a wide spectrum of clients, the firm is a trailblazer, continuously advancing legal practices while maintaining a deep-seated commitment to the community. This ethos is powerfully expressed through its initiative to make legal understanding widely available, thereby empowering citizens and contributing to the development of a more informed and capable society.
