Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, second from right, is taken in handcuffs to a waiting aircraft as he is extradited to the United States, at an Air Force base in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 21, 2022.
Elmer Martinez/AP
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Elmer Martinez/AP
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted in 2024 for drug trafficking and weapons charges, receiving a 45-year prison sentence.
Trump defended his decision on social media, stating that many respected individuals believed Hernandez was treated unfairly and harshly.
Hernandez, who had served two terms as the Honduran president, was found guilty in a U.S. court of conspiring to import cocaine into the country. He has been appealing his conviction while serving time at the U.S. Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia.
Hernandez’s lawyer, Renato C. Stabile, expressed gratitude for Trump’s decision, calling it a correction of a great injustice and expressing hope for future U.S.-Honduras partnership. Another lawyer for Hernandez, Sabrina Shroff, declined to comment.
Trump’s announcement also included his support for Nasry “Tito” Asfura in the upcoming Honduran presidential election, pledging U.S. support if Asfura wins. However, Trump warned that the U.S. would not continue support if Asfura loses, emphasizing the importance of a capable leader for the country’s stability.
Aside from Asfura, other contenders in the election include Rixi Moncada and Salvador Nasralla, each representing different political ideologies and backgrounds.
Trump’s involvement in Honduras’ election has been viewed as a test for democracy, with implications for regional stability. The U.S. president’s stance on Venezuela and potential military actions in the region have also been subjects of speculation.
Outgoing Honduran President Xiomara Castro’s approach to U.S. relations and regional cooperation has been noted, as she navigates Honduras’ political landscape in the face of changing leadership and U.S. interests.
Argentine President Javier Milei also voiced his support for Asfura, aligning with Trump’s endorsement and emphasizing the need for strong leadership in Honduras.
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