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 a U.S. prison for drug trafficking. This controversial decision, revealed in a Truth Social post, is raising alarms amid ongoing U.S. efforts to combat drug-related corruption in Latin America.
This pardon marks a stark contrast to Trump’s escalating military posture in the Caribbean, aimed at ousting another leader accused of drug complicity, Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela. Trump’s support for Hernández, who was convicted of facilitating the transport of over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States, undermines the administration’s rationale for targeting Maduro’s government.
In his post, 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.” He also endorsed Tito Asfura, the candidate representing Hernández’s National Party in Honduras’ upcoming elections, emphasizing U.S. support for his policies.
The announcement has immediate implications for U.S. foreign policy and its credibility in international drug trafficking investigations. Hernández was convicted in March 2023 after a trial in New York, where prosecutors presented evidence that he accepted millions in bribes from drug traffickers. Testimonies from confessed traffickers indicated that Hernández provided protection to notorious drug lords, including Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, currently serving a life sentence in the U.S.
Critics, including former Drug Enforcement Agency chief Mike Vigil, have voiced strong concerns. Vigil stated, “This action would be nothing short of catastrophic and would destroy the credibility of the U.S. in the international community.” The U.S. administration had previously announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, further complicating the narrative surrounding drug trafficking in the region.
As Honduras prepares for elections on November 26, 2023, the race remains tightly contested. Asfura faces stiff competition from candidates associated with the ruling left-wing Libre Party and a centrist candidate, amidst accusations of fraud and foreign influence.
The political atmosphere in Honduras is tense as voters head to the polls, with implications that could resonate throughout the region. Trump’s endorsement of Asfura, paired with the pardon of Hernández, could dramatically shift the landscape of U.S.-Honduran relations.
The international community will be closely watching how these developments unfold, particularly as they relate to drug trafficking and governance in Central America. With the elections just days away, the situation remains fluid and highly charged.
