TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been sworn in for a new term amid protests against the November election that was marred by irregularities and allegations of fraud.

The head of Congress put the presidential sash on Hernandez in Saturday morning's ceremony in the capital, Tegucigalpa. The president promised to begin "a process of reconciliation to unite the Honduran family."

Soldiers and police deployed tear gas to block thousands of demonstrators from marching to the national stadium to protest the inauguration.

Opposition presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla told The Associated Press that "this is how the dictator oppresses his people."