Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation, has been released following a pardon from President Donald Trump. The pardon comes in the wake of Hernández's conviction, which prosecutors argued revealed the extent of cartel influence in Honduras. Hernández was released on Monday from U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and reflected in their online records.
The timing of Hernández's release coincided with Honduras's recent presidential election. Trump defended the pardon aboard Air Force One, asserting that many Hondurans believe Hernández was wrongfully accused and "set up." Despite this, U.S. prosecutors have contended that Hernández facilitated drug traffickers in transporting significant quantities of cocaine to the United States. The pardon also aligns with Trump's aggressive counter-narcotics approach, which has faced criticism across Latin America for its militaristic tactics, including maritime attacks on vessels suspected of drug transportation.
Ana García, Hernández's wife, expressed gratitude to Trump via social media and spoke to reporters outside their home in Tegucigalpa. She claimed the case against her husband was politically motivated, similar to the perceived treatment of Trump himself. Hernández informed her of his release while still in the prison head's office and is currently in a secure, undisclosed location, planning to address the Honduran populace soon.
The pursuit for a pardon reportedly began several months ago, culminating in Hernández writing a letter to Trump on his birthday, October 28. Trump stated that he chose to issue the pardon based on the belief that many in Honduras viewed Hernández as a victim of a political setup. Hernández's attorney expressed relief that the "ordeal" was over and thanked Trump for what he described as a rectification of an injustice.
Democratic lawmakers have denounced Trump's decision, highlighting the gravity of Hernández's convictions for drug trafficking. Senator Dick Durbin criticized the pardon, emphasizing the contradiction it posed to U.S. efforts to combat narcotics. The Trump administration has previously labeled drug cartels as unlawful combatants and has executed numerous strikes against drug-laden vessels in the Caribbean, asserting it was engaged in an "armed conflict" similar to the response following the September 11 attacks.
Hernández, who was arrested at the U.S. request in February 2022, maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings, alleging he was targeted by drug traffickers he had previously helped extradite. Despite his claims of fighting organized crime with U.S. support, a federal judge noted that evidence demonstrated Hernández's complicity in the drug trade, asserting his position was used to provide cover for criminal activities.
Following Trump's announcement of the pardon, Honduras's Attorney General Johel Zelaya indicated that the office would pursue justice and address issues of impunity, although specific charges were not mentioned. Hernández's return to Honduras is not guaranteed, with concerns lingering about ongoing investigations into corruption related to his administration. The timing of the pardon may also have influenced the recent presidential elections in Honduras, particularly assisting the candidate from Hernández's National Party.
