Summary
President Donald Trump pardoned the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, who was previously convicted and sentenced for drug trafficking. Hernández was accused of taking part in a scheme that moved over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S. Trump claimed that Hernández was unfairly treated and was a victim of political persecution.
Key Facts
- Juan Orlando Hernández served as the president of Honduras from 2013 to 2022.
- U.S. federal prosecutors accused Hernández of accepting a $1 million bribe from drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
- Hernández was linked to a drug-trafficking operation that sent over 400 tons of cocaine to the U.S.
- He was arrested and extradited to the U.S. in 2022, where he faced drug trafficking and weapons charges.
- Hernández's trial in 2024 ended with a 45-year prison sentence.
- President Trump pardoned Hernández, stating he faced political persecution.
- Trump announced the pardon through a Truth Social post, also endorsing Tito Asfura for Honduran president.
- Hernández denied wrongdoing, claiming prosecutors did not fully investigate the truth of his case.
