Opposition candidate Porfirio Lobo took a clear early lead in a Honduran presidential election on Sunday that is putting the United States at odds with leftist governments in Latin America.

The election could calm a five-month crisis which the Central America country has suffered since the army overthrew leftist Zelaya in June and flew him into exile.

But while Washington looks likely to recognize Sunday’s vote, leftist rulers of Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela and other Latin American countries say the election is invalid because it was backed by the coup leaders and could end any hope of Zelaya returning to power. Read More…

Luis Lacalle, a former president of Uruguay, has conceded defeat in the country’s presidential run-off after exit polls showed a former rebel securing the majority of the vote.

Polls following Sunday’s election showed Lacalle’s rival, Jose Mujica, a blunt-talking former senator and one time leftist guerrilla fighter, leading with more than 51 per cent of the vote.

The run-off was called after neither candidate won an absolute majority in the first-round of voting in October.

Lacalle, a 68-year-year-old lawyer who was president from 1990 to 1995, campaigned on pledges to shrink the size of government and reduce crime.

His rival Mujica, 74, vowed to continue the policies of Tabare Vazquez, the popular outgoing president, and work to unify Latin Americans after taking office beginning March 1.

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The United States risks souring relations with much of Latin America if it recognizes upcoming elections in Honduras, the foreign policy adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in an interview on Wednesday.

Honduras will on November 29 hold elections which de facto leader Roberto Micheletti hopes will end a political crisis that began when soldiers exiled leftist President Manuel Zelaya in June.

Washington — which condemned the coup — has not announced an official position on the election but has suggested it will support the outcome by saying recognition of the presidential election was not contingent on Zelaya’s reinstatement.