WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that he will be pardoning former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who in 2024 was convicted for drug trafficking and weapons charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
The president explained his decision on social media by posting that 'according to many people that I greatly respect,' Hernandez was 'treated very harshly and unfairly.'
In March of last year, Hernandez was convicted in U.S. court of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S.A. He had served two terms as the leader of the Central American nation of roughly 10 million people.
The post was part of a broader message by Trump backing Tito Asfura for Honduras’ presidency, with Trump stating the U.S. would support the country if he wins. However, Trump also warned that if Asfura loses the election this Sunday, the U.S. would not be 'throwing good money after bad,' as a wrong leader could lead to catastrophic results.
Outgoing Honduran President Xiomara Castro has taken a leftist stance but has managed to maintain a pragmatic approach in dealing with the U.S. administration. She has allowed visits from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson. Castro has even softened her threats to end Honduras’ extradition treaty and military cooperation with the U.S., further emphasizing her cooperative stance.
Under her administration, Honduras has also facilitated the deportation of its citizens from the U.S. and has acted as a transit point for deported Venezuelans who were retrieved by their homeland after being sent back from the U.S.
The president explained his decision on social media by posting that 'according to many people that I greatly respect,' Hernandez was 'treated very harshly and unfairly.'
In March of last year, Hernandez was convicted in U.S. court of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S.A. He had served two terms as the leader of the Central American nation of roughly 10 million people.
The post was part of a broader message by Trump backing Tito Asfura for Honduras’ presidency, with Trump stating the U.S. would support the country if he wins. However, Trump also warned that if Asfura loses the election this Sunday, the U.S. would not be 'throwing good money after bad,' as a wrong leader could lead to catastrophic results.
Outgoing Honduran President Xiomara Castro has taken a leftist stance but has managed to maintain a pragmatic approach in dealing with the U.S. administration. She has allowed visits from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson. Castro has even softened her threats to end Honduras’ extradition treaty and military cooperation with the U.S., further emphasizing her cooperative stance.
Under her administration, Honduras has also facilitated the deportation of its citizens from the U.S. and has acted as a transit point for deported Venezuelans who were retrieved by their homeland after being sent back from the U.S.
