A member of Honduras’ National Congress sustained serious injuries Thursday when an explosive device detonated in close proximity to her during what authorities are investigating as a targeted attack on opposition lawmakers.
Gladis Aurora Lopez Calderon, a Deputy representing the National Party in the Honduran Congress, was conducting a media interview when the grenade struck near her head, according to reports from multiple news organizations.
The incident occurred as Lopez and other National Party deputies gathered outside the legislative building to speak with journalists before the start of an extraordinary congressional session.
HCH TV, a Honduran media outlet, reported that the explosive device was allegedly thrown by a far-left protester.
The outlet posted videos on X that captured both the moment of detonation and footage appearing to show an individual throwing the object toward the lawmakers.
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Following the attack, Lopez described her injuries and the chaotic scene that unfolded.
“We’re arriving at the emergency room, I’m in a lot of pain. I’m deaf in one ear, I think the cameras captured me being pushed out. I have to ask Human Rights to protect me,” Lopez said.
The deputy’s statement indicated she suffered hearing loss in at least one ear as a result of the blast, though the full extent of her injuries remains under assessment by medical personnel.
Tomás Zambrano, who serves as Deputy for the National Party and leads the party’s delegation in the legislative body, provided additional details about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
“We were giving interviews to the media, accompanied by fellow deputies from the National Party to begin the extraordinary session, and they threw bombs at us, with mortars,” Zambrano said, according to Times Now.
Zambrano went further in his remarks, directing blame toward National Congress President Luis Rolando Redondo Guifarro.
The National Party leader accused Redondo of bearing responsibility for the violence targeting opposition lawmakers.
“These acts of violence have been perpetrated against the opposition for four years. They cannot continue abusing their power,” Zambrano stated.
In response to the accusations and the attack itself, Redondo issued a statement on X condemning the incident and outlining immediate investigative steps.
“I have immediately instructed the security personnel of the National Congress to review the internal security cameras, as well as the 911 system records, in order to identify the person responsible for throwing an explosive device from outside the National Congress (public road) and proceed according to the law,” Redondo said.
The attack comes during a period of political tension in Honduras following the December presidential election results.
Businessman Nasry Asfura, representing the National Party, secured victory in the presidential race by a narrow margin over Liberal Party nominee Salvador Nasralla.
Asfura received 40.26% of the vote compared to Nasralla’s 39.55%, translating to a difference of approximately 26,000 votes in the closely contested election.
President Donald Trump had endorsed Asfura during the campaign, lending his support to the National Party candidate ahead of the December vote.
