UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced plans to grant a full pardon to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, currently serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking. This controversial move threatens to reshape U.S. foreign policy in Central America and complicates Trump’s ongoing military buildup aimed at ousting another Latin American leader, Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “I will be granting a Full and Complete Pardon to Former President Juan Orlando Hernández who has been, according to many people that I greatly respect, treated very harshly and unfairly.” This announcement comes just days before the Honduran elections, where Trump has endorsed Tito Asfura, the National Party candidate.
Hernández was convicted in March after a Manhattan jury found him guilty of facilitating the transport of over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S. Prosecutors accused him of accepting millions in bribes from drug traffickers, including notorious figures like Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, co-founder of the infamous Sinaloa cartel. Testimonies during the trial revealed that Hernández provided protection to these drug lords.
Despite his conviction, Hernández continues to assert his innocence, claiming he was “wrongly and unjustly accused.” However, Judge P. Kevin Castel described him as a “two-faced politician hungry for power,” imposing an $8 million fine alongside his lengthy prison sentence.
Trump’s pardon announcement raises critical questions about U.S. policy towards drug trafficking. The administration has been vocal against Maduro, accusing him of collaborating with drug cartels to funnel illegal drugs into the United States. On August 7, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for Maduro’s arrest, asserting that he uses foreign terrorist organizations to perpetuate violence and drug distribution.
Former DEA official Mike Vigil warned that Trump’s pardon could severely damage the U.S.’s credibility in international drug trafficking investigations. He stated, “This action would be nothing short of catastrophic and would destroy the credibility of the U.S. in the international community,” highlighting the potential fallout from this decision.
Asfura, the Trump-backed candidate, faces a tight race against contenders from the ruling left-wing Libre party and a centrist candidate. Tensions are high leading into the election, with allegations of fraud and foreign influence swirling in the air.
This developing story highlights the complexities of U.S. relations with Central America and the implications of Trump’s decision on both domestic and international fronts. As the situation evolves, all eyes will be on the upcoming election in Honduras and the ramifications of Trump’s controversial pardon.
