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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, if he wins the 2028 presidential election. Hernández is currently serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States after being convicted on drug trafficking and weapons charges.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called Hernández's conviction "wrongful and politically motivated." He praised the former Honduran leader as a key partner during his presidency, specifically citing his cooperation in curbing illegal immigration. This stance marks a significant intervention in a case that U.S. prosecutors have hailed as a landmark victory against high-level corruption and international narcotics operations.
In March, a federal jury in New York found Hernández guilty of conspiring with drug cartels to smuggle over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. Prosecutors argued that he turned Honduras into a "narco-state," using his country's military and national police to protect shipments in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes. The case against him was built on extensive evidence, including testimony from convicted drug traffickers. At his sentencing, prosecutors detailed how Hernández abused his power, which had previously positioned him as a key U.S. ally in Central America.
Throughout his trial and since his conviction, Hernández has maintained his innocence. His defense lawyers argued that the prosecution's case relied on the testimony of criminals who were seeking revenge and reduced sentences. They portrayed him as a president who actively fought against drug cartels, not one who colluded with them. Despite his administration's previous praise for Hernández on migration issues, the details of his conviction paint a starkly different picture of his leadership.
Trump's promise to pardon Hernández has drawn criticism for its potential to undermine the U.S. justice system's efforts to combat global crime and corruption. The announcement is highly unusual for a presidential candidate and complicates the narrative surrounding Hernández, whose conviction was framed by U.S. authorities as a significant blow against narco-corruption. It also raises questions about the criteria for presidential pardons and their use in matters of foreign policy and international law.
