Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras. Hernández is currently serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking in a federal prison in West Virginia.
This announcement comes just two days ahead of the presidential elections in Honduras, where Trump has publicly supported right-wing candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura from the National Party, which Hernández led until his arrest.
“I will grant a full and complete pardon to former President Juan Orlando Hernández, who has been treated harshly and unfairly,” Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social. In the same post, he criticized the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, labeling them as narcoterrorist states.
Trump did not specify when he would sign the pardon decree or the conditions under which it would be applied, though he mentioned that the decision would be "immediate" if Asfura wins the upcoming Sunday elections.
Juan Orlando Hernández, aged 57, served as the president of Honduras from 2014 to 2022. For years, he was considered a key ally of Washington in Central America's fight against drug trafficking.
In June 2024, a New York court sentenced Hernández to 45 years in prison and an $8 million fine after he was found guilty of conspiring to traffic cocaine and possessing military-grade weapons.
U.S. prosecutors argued that Hernández ran the country as a “narco-state,” accepting millions in bribes from cartels in exchange for political and police protection.
“I always worked alongside the United States in the fight against drug trafficking,” Hernández declared during his trial, as reported by the BBC.
The pardon announcement has sparked mixed reactions in Honduras and throughout the region, especially given Trump's claim of combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
While National Party factions applauded the decision as “an act of justice and reconciliation,” critics of Trump described the announcement as “a direct interference in the Honduran electoral process.”
The former U.S. president used his platform to endorse Nasry “Tito” Asfura, the centrist-right former mayor of Tegucigalpa and presidential candidate.
“If Tito Asfura wins the presidency, the United States will provide strong support. If he does not win, we won’t waste our money on the wrong leaders,” Trump wrote.
He further stated that Asfura is “the only true friend of freedom” and cautioned that “communists are trying to take over Honduras just as they did with Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.”
Trump's announcement, made so close to the elections, is seen as a calculated political move to bolster Washington's influence in Central America and reward the loyalty of former allies, despite their legal backgrounds.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the decision, stating, “Pardoning a drug trafficker is demoralizing for those of us who have risked our lives fighting against drug trafficking.”
“Trump said he wants to destroy 'cocaine factories,' but we eliminate an average of 9 labs per day. I invite President Trump to visit my country and join us in destroying cocaine factories. He will see and feel firsthand the fight against drug trafficking,” Petro challenged on his X profile.
If enacted, Hernández—who is serving a sentence until 2060—could be released in the coming days, marking a dramatic shift in relations between the two nations.
Impact of Trump's Pardon Decision on U.S.-Honduras Relations
What is the significance of Trump's announcement to pardon Hernández?
Trump's announcement is significant as it could reshape U.S.-Honduras relations, especially in the context of regional politics and the upcoming Honduran elections. It signals potential U.S. support for Honduras's current political dynamics, contingent on the election outcome.
How might this affect the Honduran elections?
The pardon announcement could influence voter perceptions and sway the elections in favor of Nasry “Tito” Asfura, as it ties U.S. support to his electoral success. This could be seen as an external influence on the electoral process.
What are the criticisms surrounding the pardon decision?
Critics argue that the pardon could be viewed as undermining the rule of law and accountability, given Hernández's conviction for serious crimes. It also raises concerns about foreign interference in domestic politics.