Juan Orlando Hernández, former president of Honduras, has recently been released from a U.S. prison after receiving a pardon from former President Donald Trump. According to federal inmate records, Hernández was freed from USP Hazelton in West Virginia. He had been convicted in March 2024 for drug trafficking and possession of machine guns, receiving a hefty 45-year sentence.
In a social media post, Trump claimed that Hernández had been treated “harshly and unfairly.” Hernández’s wife, Ana García de Hernández, expressed her gratitude to Trump, celebrating her husband’s newfound freedom.
Hernández, who was president from 2014 to 2022, was extradited to the U.S. in April 2022. During his trial, prosecutors portrayed him as running Honduras like a “narco-state,” accepting millions in bribes from drug traffickers. He was also fined $8 million.
Trump defended his pardon, suggesting that the investigation into Hernández was politically motivated. He said it was a “Biden administration set up,” arguing that being president shouldn’t equate to being labeled a drug dealer.
Hernández’s release comes at a significant time for Honduras, which is currently experiencing a tightly contested presidential election. Just 515 votes separate right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura and his challenger, leftist Salvador Nasralla, a former TV host. Trump criticized Nasralla as “borderline Communist” and praised Asfura for his stance on democracy.
In recent years, the U.S. has intensified its efforts to combat drug trafficking in Latin America. Key statistics show that the U.S. has seized over 29 tons of cocaine in the Caribbean since 2021 alone. These military operations and sanctions against countries like Venezuela highlight the U.S. government’s focus on drug-related issues.
Hernández’s release and the current political landscape in Honduras could have lasting implications for both the nation and U.S. relations in the region.
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