Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been released from prison following a pardon granted by former President Donald Trump. Hernández, who was convicted of conspiring to smuggle over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States, left a West Virginia prison on March 25, 2024, according to his wife, Ana García.
García announced the release via social media, stating that her husband is “once again a free man.” The U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed the release of an individual matching Hernández’s name and age. In her post, García expressed gratitude toward Trump for the pardon, reflecting on the “pain” and “difficult challenges” her family faced during Hernández’s incarceration.
Hernández’s release comes amid ongoing tensions in U.S.-Honduran relations, particularly as Trump has increased military actions against drug trafficking in the Caribbean. His pardon has sparked criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who question the implications of pardoning a leader convicted of serious drug-related offenses.
Trump’s rationale for the pardon has drawn scrutiny. He asserted on social media that Hernández was “treated very harshly and unfairly,” claiming that many in Honduras believed the charges were politically motivated. “They said it was a Biden setup,” Trump noted, suggesting that Hernández’s prosecution was politicized due to his presidency.
Critics of the pardon include Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who expressed confusion over why Trump would pardon Hernández while simultaneously targeting other drug traffickers. “Lock up every drug runner! Don’t understand why he is being pardoned,” Cassidy stated.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine also condemned the decision, highlighting Hernández’s significant role in a vast criminal enterprise. “He was convicted in a federal court in the United States,” Kaine remarked during a recent interview. “Less than one year into his sentence, President Trump is pardoning him, suggesting that this White House has little regard for narcotrafficking.”
Following the news of the pardon, Hernández’s family gathered in their home in Tegucigalpa to celebrate his return after nearly four years apart. This home was where Honduran authorities arrested him in 2022, shortly after he completed his second term as president. He was subsequently extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
The political landscape in Honduras remains fraught, particularly with ongoing presidential elections that have been described as contentious. As Trump continues to support candidates from Hernández’s political party, the implications of this pardon could resonate beyond individual cases, affecting future U.S.-Honduras relations and drug policy.
In the wake of this development, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled the prosecution of Hernández as a “clear Biden overprosecution,” suggesting there were significant issues raised during his trial that warranted reconsideration. The controversy surrounding Hernández’s pardon highlights the complex interplay of politics, law enforcement, and international relations in the region.
