President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will grant a pardon to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted earlier this year on serious drug trafficking and weapons charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Presidential Pardon for Controversial Figure
The president revealed his decision through a social media post, stating that "according to many people that I greatly respect," Hernandez had been "treated very harshly and unfairly." This pardon represents one of the most significant clemency actions during Trump's presidency, involving a foreign leader convicted in American courts.
Hernandez, who served two terms as president of the Central American nation of approximately 10 million people, was convicted in March of last year by a U.S. court for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. The former leader had been appealing his conviction while serving his sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia.
Legal Reaction and Political Implications
Renato C. Stabile, one of Hernandez's lawyers, expressed profound gratitude for Trump's intervention. "A great injustice has been righted and we are so hopeful for the future partnership of the United States and Honduras," Stabile stated. He added that they anticipate "President Hernandez's triumphant return to Honduras."
The pardon announcement was embedded within a broader political message concerning Honduras' upcoming presidential election. Trump explicitly endorsed Nasry "Tito" Asfura for the presidency, indicating that the United States would support Honduras if Asfura wins the election scheduled for this Sunday.
However, Trump issued a stark warning: if Asfura loses, "the United States will not be throwing good money after bad, because a wrong Leader can only bring catastrophic results to a country." This statement positions the Honduran election as a critical test for the country's relationship with the United States.
Honduran Political Landscape and International Support
Asfura, a 67-year-old conservative candidate from the National Party, previously served as mayor of Tegucigalpa and has campaigned on addressing Honduras' infrastructure needs. His political career has not been without controversy, as he has faced accusations of embezzling public funds, allegations he consistently denies.
The presidential race features two other prominent candidates: Rixi Moncada, who held positions as finance and defense secretary before running for the democratic socialist Libre party, and Salvador Nasralla, a former television personality making his fourth presidential bid, this time representing the Liberal Party.
Trump has framed the Honduran election as a crucial test for democracy in the region, suggesting in a separate Truth Social post that if Asfura loses, Honduras could follow Venezuela's path under Nicolás Maduro's influence. The U.S. president has maintained pressure on Maduro's government, increasing military presence in the Caribbean and deploying advanced warships including the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.
International support for Asfura extended beyond the United States, with Argentine President Javier Milei, a noted admirer of Trump, declaring his full support for the Honduran candidate. The libertarian leader stated on his X account that Asfura "best represents the opposition to the leftist tyrants who have destroyed Honduras."
The current Honduran administration under President Xiomara Castro has maintained a pragmatic relationship with the United States despite her leftist stance. Castro has received visits from high-ranking U.S. officials including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, and has moderated earlier threats to end extradition treaties and military cooperation with the United States.
