Why Honduras’s former president was accused of drug crimes and why Trump pardoned him
Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, has been released following a presidential pardon by Donald Trump, ending one of the most high-profile drug trafficking cases involving a foreign head of state. Hernández had previously been described by US prosecutors as a central figure in a vast cocaine-smuggling operation that allegedly sent more than 400 tonnes of drugs into the United States.
During his trial, prosecutors accused Hernández of accepting millions of dollars in bribes from drug traffickers in exchange for protection, political influence, and assistance in moving cocaine through Honduras. The country was portrayed in court as a key transit hub for narcotics bound for North America during his time in office. Hernández consistently denied the allegations, arguing that the charges were politically motivated and based on testimony from criminals seeking reduced sentences.
Trump’s decision to issue a pardon has sparked intense debate. Supporters of the move argue that Hernández was a strategic ally of the US in Central America, particularly on migration control and regional security, and that his prosecution undermined diplomatic cooperation. They also claim the case relied heavily on witness testimony rather than direct evidence.
Critics, however, say the pardon damages US credibility in fighting international drug trafficking and corruption. Human rights groups and legal analysts warn that it could send a signal of impunity to powerful political figures accused of serious crimes, weakening trust in the rule of law both in the US and abroad.
The pardon has reignited broader discussions about the use of presidential clemency, the intersection of foreign policy and justice, and the long-term impact on US relations with Central America. Hernández’s release marks a dramatic reversal in a case that once symbolised Washington’s tough stance on narco-politics in the region.