The Controversial Pardon: Trump Releases Honduras' Ex-President Convicted of Drug Trafficking

Tue Dec 02 2025 22:20:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, found guilty of being a central figure in a major drug trafficking operation, is freed after a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, raising questions about justice and political motives.

Juan Orlando Hernández, the ex-president of Honduras, has been pardoned by Donald Trump after serving a sentence for drug trafficking. While Trump argues Hernández was politically persecuted, critics question the implications of the pardon amid calls for a crackdown on drug trade in the U.S. The case illustrates the complexities of U.S.-Latin American relations and the potential political motivations behind such decisions.

Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, has walked free after President Donald Trump pardoned the man once characterized as the key figure in a drug trafficking scheme that flooded America with over 400 tonnes of cocaine.

Trump has said that Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison by a US court, is a victim of political persecution and has been treated very harshly and unfairly. The pardon has surprised some experts, given the seriousness of the crime and the administration's promised crackdown on illegal drugs flowing into the US.

Here is a look at Hernández's political career and crimes, and why Trump may have pardoned him.

400 tonnes of cocaine and a $1m bribe from El Chapo

Hernández first ran for president in 2013 as the candidate for the conservative National Party, running again in 2017 amidst allegations of fraud and protests. Throughout his presidency, he maintained a favorable relationship with the US, being praised by both Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

However, in 2019, US federal prosecutors accused him of accepting a $1 million bribe from Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán for his presidential campaign in exchange for protecting narcotics routes. His brother, Tony Hernández, was arrested on cocaine smuggling charges and later convicted, further complicating Juan Hernández's political future.

Post-presidency, Hernández faced legal troubles, culminating in his arrest and extradition to the US on drug trafficking and weapons charges, where prosecutors argued he was a key player in an extensive drug-trafficking scheme.

His federal trial, lasting three weeks, revealed damning evidence against him, yet he insisted he was a victim of political persecution.

Trump: Hernández conviction was a 'Biden setup'

Trump announced the pardon in a Truth Social post, stating many respected voices believe Hernández had been unfairly treated. He also endorsed Tito Asfura for the presidency of Honduras. Asfura's alignment with Hernández's National Party aligns with the ideological stance of the current U.S. administration.

Experts have expressed confusion over Trump's pardon given the strength of the case against Hernández. Despite Trump's administration's declared anti-drug policies, this pardon signifies a complex interplay of politics and justice.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the clemency, claiming the prosecution was influenced by political motivations under President Biden. Critics argue that Trump's decision undermines commitments to combat drug trafficking and raises serious questions about integrity in U.S. foreign policy.