Former Honduran president released from US prison after Trump issues pardon during tense election period

Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been convicted in the United States for participating in a large-scale drug trafficking operation, has been released from prison after receiving a pardon from US President Donald Trump. Hernandez’s wife announced the news on Tuesday, saying he left a federal facility in West Virginia on Monday and was once again a free man. Records from the US Bureau of Prisons confirmed the release of an individual whose name and age match Hernandez.

Hernandez had been sentenced to 45 years in prison after being found guilty of helping traffickers move more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States over many years. His conviction followed a high-profile trial in New York, where prosecutors accused him of using his political position to shield traffickers and enable shipments linked to powerful criminal groups. The former president consistently denied wrongdoing, but the jury found there was substantial evidence that he had played a critical role in the drug network.

The decision to pardon Hernandez has added a new layer of political drama at a delicate moment. Trump is currently supporting a conservative candidate from Hernandez’s National Party in Honduras’s presidential race, which remains closely contested as authorities continue counting votes. Analysts in the region say the timing of the pardon could influence political perceptions in Honduras, where the former president remains a divisive figure.

The move also comes as Trump has ordered US forces to expand operations targeting suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean. The military campaign is part of a renewed effort to disrupt narcotics routes into the United States. This dual approach, pardoning a figure convicted of drug conspiracies while authorizing strikes on alleged trafficking boats, has raised questions from critics who argue it sends conflicting signals about the administration’s stance on drug enforcement.

Hernandez, who served two terms as president of Honduras from 2014 to 2022, had been a longtime US ally during his time in office. Washington previously supported his government on security initiatives and migration control, even as human rights groups accused his administration of corruption and authoritarianism. His arrest and conviction in the United States had been viewed by many analysts as a significant turning point in Washington’s regional anti-drug operations.

Reactions to the pardon have been mixed across Central America and among US lawmakers. Supporters argue the decision acknowledges Hernandez’s past cooperation with the United States, while critics say it undermines long running efforts to curb political ties to drug traffickers in the region. Legal experts note that presidential pardons are broad in scope and final, meaning Hernandez will not face further imprisonment in the United States.

As Honduras awaits the final election results, the release of its former leader adds further tension to an already uncertain political environment. Observers say the development may weigh on public opinion, though its exact impact on the election remains unclear.