Trump Announces Pardon for Former Honduran President Hernández Amid Upcoming Election

President Donald Trump announced on Friday his plan to grant a full pardon to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted in 2024 on drug trafficking and weapons charges and sentenced to 45 years in a U.S. prison.

In a social media post, Trump stated that Hernández had been "treated very harshly and unfairly," referencing opinions from individuals he respects.

Hernández, who served as Honduras' president from 2014 to 2022, was found guilty of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.

Trump's announcement coincides with his endorsement of Nasry "Tito" Asfura, the conservative National Party's candidate in Honduras' upcoming presidential election. Trump expressed that U.S. support for Honduras would be contingent upon Asfura's victory, warning that a loss could lead to the withdrawal of U.S. aid.

The Honduran presidential election, scheduled for Sunday, features a tight race among Asfura, Rixi Moncada of the ruling LIBRE party, and Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party. The election's outcome is expected to significantly influence U.S.-Honduras relations.

International observers, including the Organization of American States and the U.S. State Department, are closely monitoring the election due to concerns about potential irregularities and the possibility of multiple candidates claiming victory, which could lead to political instability.