U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 28th (local time) that he would pardon former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, who is serving a prison term on drug trafficking charges. Trump declared on his social media platform Truth Social that he would grant a "full pardon."
Former President Hernández was arrested immediately after leaving office in Feb. 2022, and in Apr. of that year he was extradited to the United States and indicted. U.S. prosecutors said Hernández colluded with drug trafficking organizations from 2004 to 2022 to bring drugs from Colombia and Venezuela, among other places, and smuggle them into the United States. He is also accused of using bribes from drug traffickers as campaign funds. Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in prison in June last year by the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, New York.
The pardon announcement is seen as an unusual decision, given that President Trump has taken a highly sensitive approach to the issue of drug smuggling from Latin America. Early in his tenure, Trump maintained ties with Hernández, a conservative pro-U.S. figure, through cooperation.
There is also talk that the timing of Hernández's arrest and indictment, which fell during former President Joe Biden's term, may have influenced the pardon decision. Explaining the reason for the pardon, Trump said, "Many people I respect said former President Hernández was treated very harshly and unfairly."
Trump also voiced support for Tito Asfura, the right-wing candidate and leader of the National Party, with two days left before the Honduras presidential election. He warned, "If Tito Asfura is elected president, the United States will strongly support him, his policies, and the great people of Honduras," adding, "If he does not win, the United States will not provide a lot of money."
Trump's remarks are being interpreted as part of his "Donroism" policy to strengthen U.S. economic and strategic interests in the Americas and surrounding regions. His comments intervening in the Honduras election can also be seen as part of a strategy to expand his influence.