Exclusive: U.S. document certifies Honduras as supporting rights amid vote crisisWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has certified that the Honduran government has been fighting corruption and supporting human rights, clearing the way for Honduras to receive millions of dollars in U.S. aid, a document seen by Reuters showed. The document, dated Nov. 28, which was seen by Reuters on Monday, showed that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson certified Honduras for the assistance, two days after a controversial presidential election that has been claimed by an ally of Washington. Honduras has faced violent protests over the disputed results of the election, which has still not produced a clear winner over a week after the vote ended. The decision to issue the certification prompted concern from some congressional Democrats that Republican President Donald Trump’s administration could be seen to be taking sides. “What kind of message does that send?” one congressional aide asked. State Department officials did not have an immediate response when questioned about the timing of the certification.  Honduras is required to fulfill about a dozen requirements in order to receive its share of $644 million appropriated by the U.S. Congress under a program to assist Central American governments. Among those requirements are combating corruption - including investigating and prosecuting current and former government officials alleged to be corrupt - and protecting the rights of political opposition parties. Honduras struggles with violent drug gangs, one of the world’s highest murder rates and endemic poverty. In recent years, many Hondurans - including children - have attempted to migrate to the United States. In hopes of stemming this migration, former President Barack Obama’s administration in 2015 came up with a plan that included sending hundreds of millions of dollars in additional aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Congress agreed to provide the money, if the governments were found to be taking steps to fight crime and corruption. A preliminary ballot count in Honduras on Monday pointed to a narrow victory for President Juan Orlando Hernandez over opposition challenger Salvador Nasralla, although the electoral tribunal has not declared a winner. Early last week, Nasralla, a former sportscaster and game show host, appeared set for an upset victory over Hernandez. The counting process suddenly halted for more than a day and began leaning in favor of Hernandez after resuming. Opposition leaders said they wanted a recount and have accused the government of stealing the election. Hernandez, 49, implemented a military-led crackdown on gang violence after taking office in 2014. He has been supported by Trump’s chief of staff, John Kelly.  Nasralla, 64, is one of Honduras’ best-known faces and is backed by former President Manuel Zelaya, a leftist ousted in a coup in 2009. politicsNews
exclusive document certified honduras supporting rights amid vote crisiswashington reuters the state department certified honduras government fighting corruption supporting human rights clearing way honduras receive millions dollars aid document seen reuters showed the document dated seen reuters monday showed secretary state rex tillerson certified honduras assistance two days controversial presidential election claimed ally washington honduras faced violent protests disputed results election still produced clear winner week vote ended the decision issue certification prompted concern congressional democrats republican president donald trump administration could seen taking sides what kind message send one congressional aide asked state department officials immediate response questioned timing certification honduras required fulfill dozen requirements order receive share million appropriated congress program assist central american governments among requirements combating corruption including investigating prosecuting current former government officials alleged corrupt protecting rights political opposition parties honduras struggles violent drug gangs one world highest murder rates endemic poverty in recent years many honduras including children attempted migrate united states in hopes stemming migration former president barack obama administration came plan included sending hundreds millions dollars additional aid honduras guatemala el salvador congress agreed provide money governments found taking steps fight crime corruption a preliminary ballot count honduras monday pointed narrow victory president juan orlando hernandez opposition challenger salvador nasralla although electoral tribunal declared winner early last week nasralla former sportscaster game show host appeared set upset victory hernandez the counting process suddenly halted day began leaning favor hernandez resuming opposition leaders said wanted recount accused government stealing election hernandez implemented crackdown gang violence taking office he supported trump chief staff john kelly nasralla one honduras faces backed former president manuel relay leftist ousted coup politicsnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: Exclusive: U.S. document certifies Honduras as supporting rights amid vote crisisWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has certified that the Honduran government has been fighting corruption and supporting human rights, clearing the way for Honduras to receive millions of dollars in U.S. aid, a document seen by Reuters showed. The document, dated Nov. 28, which was seen by Reuters on Monday, showed that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson certified Honduras for the assistance, two days after a controversial presidential election that has been claimed by an ally of Washington. Honduras has faced violent protests over the disputed results of the election, which has still not produced a clear winner over a week after the vote ended. The decision to issue the certification prompted concern from some congressional Democrats that Republican President Donald Trump’s administration could be seen to be taking sides. “What kind of message does that send?” one congressional aide asked. State Department officials did not have an immediate response when questioned about the timing of the certification.  Honduras is required to fulfill about a dozen requirements in order to receive its share of $644 million appropriated by the U.S. Congress under a program to assist Central American governments. Among those requirements are combating corruption - including investigating and prosecuting current and former government officials alleged to be corrupt - and protecting the rights of political opposition parties. Honduras struggles with violent drug gangs, one of the world’s highest murder rates and endemic poverty. In recent years, many Hondurans - including children - have attempted to migrate to the United States. In hopes of stemming this migration, former President Barack Obama’s administration in 2015 came up with a plan that included sending hundreds of millions of dollars in additional aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Congress agreed to provide the money, if the governments were found to be taking steps to fight crime and corruption. A preliminary ballot count in Honduras on Monday pointed to a narrow victory for President Juan Orlando Hernandez over opposition challenger Salvador Nasralla, although the electoral tribunal has not declared a winner. Early last week, Nasralla, a former sportscaster and game show host, appeared set for an upset victory over Hernandez. The counting process suddenly halted for more than a day and began leaning in favor of Hernandez after resuming. Opposition leaders said they wanted a recount and have accused the government of stealing the election. Hernandez, 49, implemented a military-led crackdown on gang violence after taking office in 2014. He has been supported by Trump’s chief of staff, John Kelly.  Nasralla, 64, is one of Honduras’ best-known faces and is backed by former President Manuel Zelaya, a leftist ousted in a coup in 2009. politicsNews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: exclusive document certified honduras supporting rights amid vote crisiswashington reuters the state department certified honduras government fighting corruption supporting human rights clearing way honduras receive millions dollars aid document seen reuters showed the document dated seen reuters monday showed secretary state rex tillerson certified honduras assistance two days controversial presidential election claimed ally washington honduras faced violent protests disputed results election still produced clear winner week vote ended the decision issue certification prompted concern congressional democrats republican president donald trump administration could seen taking sides what kind message send one congressional aide asked state department officials immediate response questioned timing certification honduras required fulfill dozen requirements order receive share million appropriated congress program assist central american governments among requirements combating corruption including investigating prosecuting current former government officials alleged corrupt protecting rights political opposition parties honduras struggles violent drug gangs one world highest murder rates endemic poverty in recent years many honduras including children attempted migrate united states in hopes stemming migration former president barack obama administration came plan included sending hundreds millions dollars additional aid honduras guatemala el salvador congress agreed provide money governments found taking steps fight crime corruption a preliminary ballot count honduras monday pointed narrow victory president juan orlando hernandez opposition challenger salvador nasralla although electoral tribunal declared winner early last week nasralla former sportscaster game show host appeared set upset victory hernandez the counting process suddenly halted day began leaning favor hernandez resuming opposition leaders said wanted recount accused government stealing election hernandez implemented crackdown gang violence taking office he supported trump chief staff john kelly nasralla one honduras faces backed former president manuel relay leftist ousted coup politicsnews