U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will grant a full pardon to Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras who is currently serving a 45-year prison sentence for conspiring to smuggle cocaine into America.
Hernandez was convicted in March after being sentenced following charges related to drug trafficking and weapons possession involving large quantities of cocaine. His conviction led to over four decades behind bars. The Associated Press previously detailed the sentencing aspect confirming these findings.
Trump cited the respect he has for certain individuals as his reason, stating Hernandez had been “treated very harshly and unfairly.” This justification directly precedes the pardon announcement.
Hernandez served two terms leading Honduras, a nation with approximately 10 million people. Despite this background, President Trump noted his upcoming release would support Tito Asfura in potential Honduran elections (“we will be very supportive” of Asfura “because a wrong Leader can only bring catastrophic results”).
Trump’s statement specifically mentioned Hernandez’s fair treatment: “This cannot… be allowed to happen” despite the apparent pardon. The text then promotes voting for Asfura (“VOTE FOR TITO ASFURA FOR PRESIDENT”) while congratulating Hernandez on his pending freedom.
The former Honduran president has been appealing his conviction during his incarceration at U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia since last year’s verdict. His wife and children reportedly celebrated with a prayer outside their home upon hearing the pardon news, relieved after nearly four years apart from him.
In conclusion, Trump presented this unusual pardon as both justified and supportive of political processes, linking Hernandez’s release to Honduran leadership changes involving Tito Asfura.