Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Trump Pardons Honduran Ex-President Convicted on Cocaine Charges
President Donald Trump has pardoned Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras, who was serving a 45-year sentence for helping drug traffickers.
This decision has upset many Democrats who say Hernandez was involved in serious drug crimes.
Trump said he pardoned Hernandez because he believes Hernandez was treated unfairly.
Hernandez's release happened just after an election in Honduras where Trump supports one of the candidates.
Some people are worried that Trump's actions might make it harder for the U.S. to fight drugs in the future.
Hernandez's lawyer says it's not safe for him to go back to Honduras because of threats from drug cartels.
President Donald Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking.
Democrats criticize the pardon, stating Hernandez was involved in a major drug conspiracy.
Trump claims Hernandez was a victim of political persecution and acted on pleas from Hondurans.
Hernandez's release follows a Honduran presidential election where Trump supports candidate Nasry Asfura.
The election results are delayed due to system failures, with Salvador Nasralla currently leading by a slim margin.
- Who
- Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez
- What
- Pardoned by President Donald Trump from a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking
- When
- Monday night
- Where
- Hazelton, West Virginia
- Why
- Trump cited pleas from Hondurans and claimed Hernandez was a victim of a 'witch hunt' by the Biden administration
- Individual Pardoned
- Juan Orlando Hernandez
- Sentence
- 45-year sentence for conspiring to import cocaine
- Pardon Issued By
- President Donald Trump
- Date of Pardon
- Monday night
- Prison Release Location
- Hazelton, West Virginia
- Honduran Election Candidates
- Nasry Asfura (National Party) and Salvador Nasralla (Liberal Party)
- Vote Count Status
- About 20% of votes uncounted due to system failure
- Current Vote Lead
- Salvador Nasralla with 39.96%
Sources
Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez freed from prison after Trump's pardon
Trump frees Honduran leader convicted on cocaine charges, sparks outcry from Democrats
Centrist Nasralla takes slim lead in Honduran presidential election plagued by delays as Trump alleges fraud
