TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — The former President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, has been released from prison after receiving a pardon from former President Donald Trump. Hernández, who was sentenced last year to 45 years in prison for his role in cocaine trafficking to the United States, has reportedly maintained his innocence and claims to have been the target of drug traffickers he once helped to extradite.
Hernández's wife, Ana García, announced the pardon on social media, expressing her gratitude to Trump for facilitating her husband's return to freedom after nearly four years. A spokesperson for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed Hernández's release from the U.S. Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia, which took place on Monday.
During a recent flight aboard Air Force One, Trump explained his decision to pardon Hernández by referencing the sentiments of the Honduran populace, which he claims believed that Hernández was unjustly accused.
However, Hernández's release creates further complications in Honduras. Attorney General Johel Zelaya reminded the public that his office remains committed to addressing corruption and seeking justice surrounding Hernández's administration, which was fraught with allegations of illicit activities during his time in office. The future of Hernández remains uncertain, as various corruption-related investigations are reportedly ongoing.
Hernández was arrested in 2022 at the request of the United States shortly after he left the presidency, and subsequently convicted of charges that outlined how he used his position to facilitate substantial drug trafficking operations. Despite his conviction, he portrayed himself as an opponent of drug trafficking during his presidency, but judges declared his actions contrasted with this narrative.
The implications of Trump’s pardon, coming just before Honduras’ critical presidential elections, have introduced a surprising twist in the electoral contest. Critics argue it might influence public perception toward certain candidates, particularly those from the National Party.
The situation remains fluid as both political and legal ramifications of this pardon unfold in Honduras, leaving many to speculate on the consequences for Hernández and the integrity of forthcoming elections.
