Trump Pardons Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, Freeing Him From US Prison

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced last year to 45 years in prison for his role in a massive drug trafficking operation, has been released following a presidential pardon from President…

Andrew PowellDec 2, 20253 min read

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Hernández, Trump told reporters traveling with him on Air Force One, “I was asked by

Honduras

, many of the people of

Honduras

. The people of

Honduras

really thought he was set up, and it was a terrible thing. They basically said he was a drug dealer because he was the president of the country. And they said it was a Biden administration set-up. And I looked at the facts, and I agreed with them.”

Hernández’s attorney, Renato Stabile, said in an emailed statement that he could not disclose the former president’s current location but added that Hernández is relieved the “ordeal” is over.

“On behalf of President Hernández and his family, I would like to thank President Trump for correcting this injustice,” Stabile said.

Hernández was arrested in February 2022 at the request of the United States, weeks after the current President Xiomara Castro took office.

Two years later, a New York federal court sentenced him to 45 years in prison for accepting bribes from drug traffickers, allowing roughly 400 tons of cocaine to be moved through Honduras to the U.S.

Throughout his trial, Hernández insisted he was innocent and claimed he was targeted by traffickers he had helped extradite.

Federal Judge P. Kevin Castel said the sentence should warn “well-educated, well-dressed” individuals who misuse power and think their status shields them from justice.

While Hernández portrayed himself as a partner in the anti-drug fight, the judge noted that trial evidence showed he used “considerable acting skills” to appear opposed to trafficking while using police and military forces to protect it.

A quick return to Honduras is not guaranteed.

After Trump’s Pardon, Honduras Attorney General Johel Zelaya said his office is required to pursue justice and end impunity. He did not specify what charges Hernández might face at home.

The Pardon, announced just days before Honduras’ presidential election, added an unexpected twist to the contest, which some say helped National Party candidate Nasry Asfura as votes were counted Tuesday.