URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced a “full and complete” pardon for former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, currently serving a 45-year sentence in the U.S. for drug trafficking. This bombshell revelation comes just days before the critical elections in Honduras, where Hernández’s endorsed candidate, Tito Asfura, is in a tightly contested race.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “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.” The announcement contrasts sharply with the U.S. administration’s military buildup in the Caribbean aimed at ousting another leader accused of drug complicity, Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela.
Hernández was convicted in March by a Manhattan jury for accepting bribes to facilitate the importation of over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. His trial revealed that he had provided protection to notorious drug lords, including Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel. Guzmán is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S.
The announcement of the pardon raises questions about the U.S. government’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking. Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations at the Drug Enforcement Administration, expressed serious concerns, stating that this action could “destroy the credibility of the U.S. in the international community.”
Hernández maintained his innocence during his sentencing in June, where he was also fined $8 million. Judge P. Kevin Castel characterized him as a “two-faced politician hungry for power.” Trump’s decision to pardon him may undermine the U.S. rationale for targeting Maduro, who has also been linked to drug trafficking operations.
As Honduras prepares for elections on November 5, 2023, the atmosphere is tense. Asfura, backed by Trump, faces a challenging race against candidates from the ruling left-wing Libre party and a centrist opposition. Allegations of fraud and foreign interference loom large, intensifying the stakes of the election.
This developing story has significant implications for U.S.-Latin America relations and the ongoing fight against drug trafficking. As the election approaches, all eyes will be on Honduras and the potential fallout from Trump’s controversial decision. Keep following for the latest updates on this urgent situation.
