Pardoned by Trump, Former Honduran President Faces New Charges at Home
Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras, is back in his home country. He returned on Sunday after receiving a pardon from former US President Donald Trump. Mr. Hernandez had been sentenced to 45 years in a US prison for drug trafficking crimes.
Donald Trump issued the presidential pardon in December. He stated that Mr. Hernandez did not receive a fair trial. Trump also claimed the trial was a setup by the previous US administration. Mr. Hernandez had been extradited to the United States four years ago.
Mr. Hernandez expressed his deep happiness on social media earlier this month. He wrote about returning home to his family. He said his time in prison was extremely difficult. He also stated he would not wish his experience on anyone.
His family and many supporters from his National Party greeted him. They met him at Palmerola International Airport.
Despite the US pardon, Mr. Hernandez faces new legal problems in Honduras. He is expected to appear in a Honduran court on August 3. The charges include fraud and money laundering. He was not arrested when he arrived in Honduras because an arrest warrant against him was suspended in June.
Some local activists worry that Mr. Hernandez will not face true justice. Joaquin Mejia is a lawyer and human rights researcher. He fears the trial will not be honest. Mr. Mejia called Mr. Hernandez “the boss of all drug bosses.”
Mr. Hernandez led Honduras from 2014 to 2022. He was once seen as an ally to the US in its fight against drugs. However, a US prosecutor said Mr. Hernandez once told drug dealers to sell drugs to Americans. This was revealed during his trial in New York.
A major investigation known as the Pandora Papers also accused Mr. Hernandez. It said he and other high-ranking officials misused nearly $11 million in state funds. This money was allegedly used for political campaigns between 2010 and 2013. Some of these funds reportedly helped his first presidential campaign.
Similar charges against former President Porfirio Lobo and former Finance Minister Wilfredo Cerrato were previously dismissed. This raises concerns among activists about the outcome of Mr. Hernandez’s upcoming trial.
