TEGUCIGALPA – A violent security breach occurred at the National Congress of Honduras on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when a homemade explosive device was hurled at opposition lawmaker Gladis Aurora López. The attack, which took place in a hallway of the legislative building, left the veteran National Party representative with injuries to her back and head.
The Incident: Captured on Camera
The assault occurred while López was speaking to media representatives.
- The Blast: Security footage and social media videos show a small object flying from behind López, striking her back and detonating instantly.
- The Aftermath: The force of the explosion shredded the lawmaker’s jacket. Images verified by news outlets revealed strips of blood and significant bruising across her back.
- Medical Status: López was rushed to a medical facility for treatment. While her party initially described the injuries as “grave,” medical staff have since confirmed they are not life-threatening.
Political Blame & Tensions
The attack has deepened the divide following the disputed November 30, 2025 presidential election.
- National Party Accusation: Tomás Zambrano, head of the National Party delegation, blamed the outgoing ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) for the attack. He categorized it as a “premeditated assault” intended to intimidate the opposition.
- LIBRE Response: Representatives of the LIBRE party, led by outgoing President Xiomara Castro, have not yet officially responded to the allegations of involvement.
- The Context: Lawmakers had been convened specifically to debate a LIBRE-backed proposal for a full election recount, despite the National Electoral Council (CNE) already declaring Nasry Asfura the winner.
Disputed 2025 Election Results
The election remains one of the most contentious in Honduran history, with a margin of victory of less than 1%.
| Candidate | Party | Vote Share | Status |
| Nasry Asfura | National Party (Conservative) | 40.3% | Declared Winner (Backed by Donald Trump) |
| Salvador Nasralla | Liberal Party (Centrist) | 39.6% | Challenging results; Alleging fraud |
| Rixi Moncada | LIBRE (Ruling/Leftist) | 19.1% | Third Place |
The Road to Inauguration
Despite the violence in Congress and ongoing appeals at the Electoral Justice Tribunal, Nasry Asfura—who received a high-profile endorsement and a subsequent pardon for his predecessor from U.S. President Donald Trump—is still scheduled to be sworn in as president on January 27, 2026.
Police have launched a manhunt for two individuals seen on security cameras throwing the device from the street into the Congress building.