On Friday, President Trump declared that he would pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who received a 45-year prison sentence in 2024 due to drug trafficking and weapons-related convictions.
The president cited social media comments, stating that many respected individuals believe Hernández was “treated very harshly and unfairly.”
Hernández’s conviction last March in a U.S. court stemmed from his involvement in a conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S.
Hernández, who served two terms leading Honduras, is currently appealing his conviction. As of now, he is serving his sentence in a federal facility in West Virginia.
Following Trump’s announcement, Hernández’s family prayed on the steps of their home in Tegucigalpa, expressing gratitude that he would soon return after nearly four years apart.
Hernández was arrested from the same residence in 2022, shortly after his presidency ended, to be extradited for trial in the U.S.
His wife shared that she managed to inform Hernández about the pardon, noting how emotional he was upon hearing the news.
“He was unaware of it, and his voice broke with emotion,” she recounted.
She thanked Trump, claiming that Hernández’s prosecution was a conspiracy by drug traffickers and “radical leftists” seeking revenge.
While the exact date of his return isn’t known, they hope it will be in the next few days.
Hernández’s attorney expressed appreciation for Trump’s actions, viewing them as a rectification of a significant injustice and expressing optimism for future U.S.-Honduras relations.
The announcement from Trump also included an endorsement of Nasri “Tito” Asufura in the upcoming presidential election in Honduras, promising support from the U.S. if he wins.
However, Trump warned that if Asufura fails in the election, he would not waste resources on a “wrong leader,” hinting at potential negative outcomes for the country.
Asufura, who has previously served as the mayor of Tegucigalpa and is a candidate for the second time on the conservative National Party ticket, has faced allegations of misusing public funds, which he denies.
Alongside Asufura, two other candidates are also in the race: Rixie Moncada from the incumbent Libre Party and Salvador Nasrallah of the Liberal Party, who is running for the presidency for the fourth time.
Trump framed the Honduran elections as a critical democracy test, suggesting that losing could lead Honduras down a troubling path like Venezuela.
He has previously increased military presence in the Caribbean and ordered actions against ships tied to drug trafficking as part of efforts to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro.
While not dismissing military options against Venezuela, Trump mentioned he’s open to dialogue.
Current President Xiomara Castro, while leaning left, has taken a pragmatic approach toward U.S. relations, welcoming aid and even maintaining an extradition treaty.
Argentine President Javier Milei, a supporter of Trump, also voiced backing for Asufura, describing him as a leading opposition figure against leftist influences in Honduras.
