LeadStory

Why did Trump pardon Honduras' former president?

Asked 1 day ago

Answer

Donald Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, claiming his conviction for drug trafficking was politically motivated and unfair, and that Hernández was over-prosecuted as part of a Biden administration setup. Trump argued that being president during drug trafficking should not warrant a life sentence. The pardon drew controversy in Honduras, with concerns it undermines accountability for corruption and crime.

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Al Jazeera

Ex-Honduras president moved to safe location after Trump pardon

Al Jazeera · Current
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Current
  • Juan Orlando Hernández freed after Trump grants total pardon 6s
  • Trump calls conviction a 'Biden-inspired witch hunt' 17s
  • Hernández was convicted for conspiring to transport 400 tons of cocaine 42s
  • Many Hondurans shocked and concerned by the pardon 1m 10s
  • National Party says Hernández will face due process if he returns 2m 13s

References

Ex-Honduras president moved to safe location after Trump pardon
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Al Jazeera
1 day ago
Ex-Honduras president moved to safe location after Trump pardon

U.S. President Donald Trump granted Hernández a total and unconditional pardon, claiming the conviction was a setup by the Biden administration and that Hernández was treated harshly and unfairly.

Ex-Honduras president moved to safe location after Trump pardon
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Al Jazeera
1 day ago
Ex-Honduras president moved to safe location after Trump pardon

Trump argued, "If you have some drug dealers in your country and you're the president, you don't necessarily put the president in jail for 45 years," calling the case a "Biden-inspired witch hunt."

Ex-Honduran president freed from U.S. prison after Trump pardon
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Reuters
2 days ago
Ex-Honduran president freed from U.S. prison after Trump pardon

Trump stated Hernandez had been treated unfairly, and a White House official confirmed Trump signed the pardon on Monday night.

Former Honduran president released from U.S. prison after Trump pardon
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CBS News
2 days ago
Former Honduran president released from U.S. prison after Trump pardon

Officials claim Hernandez was set up by the Biden administration and over-prosecuted, suggesting he was president of Honduras while drugs were trafficked but had little involvement.

Former Honduran president released from U.S. prison after Trump pardon
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CBS News
2 days ago
Former Honduran president released from U.S. prison after Trump pardon

President said selling drugs in a country does not mean the president should be jailed for life, and the people of Honduras told him Hernandez was set up and over-prosecuted because he opposed the previous administration's values.

Conservative Asfura leads Honduras' election amid fraud concerns
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Reuters
3 days ago
Conservative Asfura leads Honduras' election amid fraud concerns

On Friday, Trump also said he would pardon former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is serving a 45-year U.S. prison sentence for drug trafficking and firearms charges.

Trump declares Venezuela's airspace closed
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CBS News
5 days ago
Trump declares Venezuela's airspace closed

Trump announced he will pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is serving a 45-year federal prison sentence for helping drug cartels import cocaine into the U.S.

Trump casts long shadow over Honduran politics ahead of vote
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France 24
5 days ago
Trump casts long shadow over Honduran politics ahead of vote

On Friday, Trump announced plans to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted in 2024 of conspiring to traffic cocaine into the United States and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

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