Kerry pledges support for new Honduran president

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday congratulated Juan Orlando Hernandez on his election as president of Honduras, pledging support for efforts to address the country's most pressing challenges. "On behalf of President (Barack) Obama and the people of the United States, I extend my warm congratulations to Juan Orlando Hernandez on his election as president of the Republic of Honduras, " Kerry said in a statement. He said the presidential election on Nov. 24 was "generally transparent, peaceful and reflected the will of the Honduran people." He pledged continued U.S. support for the new leadership' s effort to address the country's most pressing challenges, including promoting fiscal stability and economic growth, combating poverty, and guaranteeing security, justice and human rights for all Hondurans. Xiomara Castro, the wife of former president Manuel Zelaya and the left-wing opposition candidate, also declared victory on the night of the election, though the official results put her behind Hernandez, the ruling conservative party candidate. On Dec. 6, the leftist Libre Party formally asked for overturning the results of the polls, citing "clear" voter fraud.