President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to grant a “full and complete pardon” to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced in the United States for drug and weapons-related offenses. This statement was made on social media platform Truth Social, coinciding with the upcoming presidential election in Honduras, scheduled for Sunday.
Hernández, who served as president for two terms, was extradited to the U.S. in April 2022. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), he faced serious allegations involving the importation of over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. Court documents indicated that he collaborated with co-conspirators armed with firearms and grenade launchers. In exchange for facilitating this drug trafficking, Hernández reportedly received millions in drug money from some of the world’s most notorious drug-trafficking organizations.
In 2024, Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in prison, along with 60 months of supervised release. Trump expressed his belief that Hernández had been treated unfairly, citing that “many people that I greatly respect” conveyed to him the same sentiment. He emphasized the need for action, stating, “This cannot be allowed to happen, especially now, after Tito Asfura wins the election, when Honduras will be on its way to great political and financial success.”
Trump’s Support for Asfura
Trump also endorsed Tito Asfura, the candidate for the presidency of Honduras representing the conservative National Party. He asserted that the United States has confidence in Asfura’s policies, stating that the U.S. would no longer continue to “throw good money” at Honduras if Asfura does not win the election.
Asfura faces competition from several candidates, including Rixi Ramona Moncada Godoy and Salvador Nasralla, as reported by Bloomberg Línea. In his social media announcement, Trump encouraged voters, saying, “VOTE FOR TITO ASFURA FOR PRESIDENT, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO JUAN ORLANDO HERNÁNDEZ ON YOUR UPCOMING PARDON. MAKE HONDURAS GREAT AGAIN!”
The political landscape in Honduras is highly charged as the election approaches, with Trump’s statements likely to influence public opinion. The dynamics between U.S. foreign policy and Honduran governance continue to be a focal point as both nations navigate this critical moment.