Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been freed following a pardon from Donald Trump, who described Hernández as a victim of political persecution. Hernández was previously sentenced to 45 years in prison by a U.S. court for his role in a substantial drug trafficking operation that purportedly trafficked over 400 tonnes of cocaine into the United States.
Hernández, who served two terms from 2014 to 2022, was originally elected as a member of the conservative National Party. His administration maintained a cooperative diplomatic relationship with various U.S. administrations, including those of Obama and Trump. However, his challenges intensified in 2019 when U.S. prosecutors accused him of accepting a $1 million bribe from drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán during his first presidential campaign. These allegations emerged amid investigations into his brother, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernández, who was convicted of drug smuggling in 2019 and sentenced to life in prison.
After leaving office, Hernández was arrested and extradited to the U.S. on charges related to drug trafficking and weapons possession. His federal trial concluded in 2024 and lasted three weeks, during which prosecutors portrayed Hernández as a key figure in a long-running scheme that caused widespread harm in both Honduras and the U.S.
Following the pardon, Trump suggested that Hernández’s conviction was politically motivated. In a statement on social media, Trump referred to input from others he respects regarding Hernández’s treatment. His endorsement of another National Party candidate, Tito Asfura, for an upcoming election further complicates this narrative, particularly given the contentious nature of Hernández’s convictions.
The White House defended the pardon, claiming Hernández’s prosecution amount to “over-prosecution” under President Biden. While some experts were surprised by Trump’s decision to pardon Hernández, they noted the perceived inconsistency with Trump’s administration’s stance on drug trafficking.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qewln7912o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss