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U.S. Blocks Visas for Two Honduran Election Officials Over Alleged Recount Obstruction

The State Department says the step responds to conduct that hindered a special tally keeping the Nov. 30 presidential result unresolved.

Overview

  • The State Department revoked the visa of Mario Morazán, a magistrate of Honduras's Tribunal de Justicia Electoral, and denied a visa request from Marlon Ochoa, a counselor at the Consejo Nacional Electoral.
  • Washington cited actions that it says undermined democracy by impeding the vote count, warning it will consider all appropriate measures to deter interference.
  • Officials said the measures were taken under Article 221 and Section 212 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.
  • Honduras remains in a special scrutiny of 2,792 presidential tally sheets, with Nasry Asfura at about 40.24% and Salvador Nasralla near 39.64–39.65% after roughly 99.84–99.85% of votes counted; ruling-party candidate Rixi Moncada is third around 19% and rejects the results.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged that the voices of 3.4 million Honduran voters be respected, and CNN reported it has requested comment from the TJE and CNE.