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Honduras opposition party condemns attack on lawmaker as election tensions simmer

TEGUCIGALPA, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Honduran opposition legislator Gladis Aurora Lopez was injured on Thursday after an explosive device was thrown near her at the National Congress, her National Party said in a statement, as tensions remain high following the country’s disputed presidential election.

Explosive device thrown at opposition member of Honduran Parliament epa12637173 National Party representative Gladys Aurora Lopez is transported in a vehicle after being injured by an explosive device ahead of a special session in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 08 January 2026. The parliamentary session, chaired by President of the National Congress of Honduras Luis Redondo, was convened to hear a 'report on the general elections' of 30 November 2025, with final results provided by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on 30 December 2025. EPA/GUSTAVO AMADOR

By Martin Valladares

The conservative National Party alleged the device was thrown by members of the ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party (Libre), and said the blast detonated "centimeters" from Lopez, wounding her.

A representative for the Libre Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Video verified by Reuters showed the legislator seated, with a white button-down shirt pulled away to reveal stripes of blood and apparent bruising on her back.

The incident comes amid political mistrust after the November 30 vote, in which centrist Salvador Nasralla has appealed to the Electoral Justice Tribunal seeking recounts in multiple departments after the electoral authority declared National Party candidate Nasry Asfura the winner by less than 1% of the vote.

Both were seeking to unseat the leftist Libre Party of President Xiomara Castro, whose candidate Rixi Moncada trailed in third in the elections.

Asfura is due to take office on January 27.

(Reporting by Martin Valladares; Writing by Kylie Madry; editing by Diane Craft)

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