BREAKING: Former President Donald Trump has just announced a “full and complete” pardon for Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who is currently serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking. This shocking development arrives just ahead of Honduras’ pivotal election on November 28, 2023, in which Trump has also endorsed Tito Asfura, the National Party candidate.
Trump made the announcement via Truth Social, stating that Hernández has been “treated very harshly and unfairly.” This pardon raises significant questions about U.S. foreign policy as it contradicts Trump’s ongoing military buildup in the Caribbean aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is also accused of drug trafficking. Analysts suggest this could undermine the U.S. rationale for targeting Maduro’s regime.
Hernández was convicted in March by a Manhattan jury for accepting millions in bribes and facilitating the shipment of over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S. Confessed traffickers testified that he provided protection to notorious drug lords, including Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who is currently serving a life sentence in America. Despite his conviction, Hernández maintains his innocence, claiming he was “wrongly and unjustly accused.”
Critics, including former DEA chief Mike Vigil, warn that Trump’s pardon could severely damage the United States’ credibility in international drug trafficking investigations. Vigil described the decision as “catastrophic,” suggesting it could compromise the integrity of U.S. efforts against global drug cartels.
This pardon comes as the political atmosphere in Honduras grows tense. Asfura is locked in a tight race against candidates from the ruling left-wing Libre party and a centrist contender, with reports of fraud and foreign influence swirling around the election. Trump’s backing of Asfura, alongside the pardon for Hernández, poses significant implications for U.S.-Honduran relations and the fight against drug trafficking in the region.
As the election unfolds, all eyes will be on the Honduran voters and the potential impact of Trump’s controversial decisions. Stay tuned for live updates on this developing story as it continues to evolve.
