A Honduran congresswoman has been rushed to hospital after being struck in the head by an explosive device in a shocking attack outside the country's parliament building.
Attack Captured on Camera
The incident occurred on January 9, 2026, in the capital, Tegucigalpa. Gladis Aurora Lopez, a member of the conservative National Party, was approaching a group of journalists for a press interview when she was targeted.
As she began to speak, a spherical object, described by officials as a 'homemade grenade', was thrown from a distance behind her. The device detonated upon impact with the back of her head, throwing her to the ground and causing severe wounds to her head and upper back.
Political Tensions Boil Over
The attack comes amidst a period of intense political strife in Honduras. Weeks prior, the National Party's presidential candidate, Nasry Asfura, secured a razor-thin election victory with 40.3% of the vote.
His rival, Salvador Nasralla of the Libre party, gained 39.5%. The election was marred by technical delays and allegations of fraud, which the Libre party has cited in its refusal to recognise the result.
Tomás Zambrano, president of the National Party's congressional delegation, directly blamed the Libre party for the assault, calling it an attack against his political group. Meanwhile, the non-partisan president of Congress, Luis Redondo, has previously labelled the election result 'completely illegal'.
Investigation and Aftermath
Local reports indicate that CCTV footage shows the explosive was thrown from outside the parliamentary building, and the suspect appeared to have an accomplice. Police are actively searching for those responsible.
Medics treated Lopez at the scene before transporting her to a nearby hospital. Officials have stated that, while serious, her injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The brazen attack in the heart of the nation's capital has sent shockwaves through Honduran politics, highlighting the dangerously high tensions following the disputed presidential election.
