Trump Says He Will Grant Full Pardon to Former Honduran President Convicted in U.S. Drug Case
Juan Orlando Hernández was sentenced to 45 years for conspiring to import cocaine; Trump links announcement to Honduras’s upcoming election
Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who is serving a 45-year U.S. prison sentence for conspiring to traffic cocaine and possessing “destructive devices,” is now poised for a pardon—according to an announcement made Friday by President Donald Trump.
Trump declared on social media that he intends to issue a “Full and Complete Pardon” to Hernández, who was found guilty by an American jury last year in a major narcotics case accusing him of partnering with drug traffickers during his time in office.
Trump ties pardon announcement to Honduran election
The declaration came just days before Honduras’s national election, scheduled for Sunday. Trump has repeatedly commented on the race and earlier endorsed Nasry “Tito” Asfura, a conservative National Party candidate and former mayor.
“Tito and I can work together to fight the Narcocommunists, and bring needed aid to the people of Honduras,” Trump wrote while spending the holiday weekend at Mar-a-Lago.
Asfura, a member of the same political party as Hernández, has made several appeals to U.S. political figures throughout the heated campaign, including members of Trump’s inner circle.
Prominent allies push Hernández’s case
Hernández’s legal and political supporters in the United States have included figures such as Roger Stone, who has advocated on his behalf separate from the presidential campaign.
Hernández was convicted last year of drug-trafficking conspiracy and for possessing and conspiring to possess machine guns and other destructive devices. Prosecutors argued he aided traffickers during his presidency, helping move large quantities of cocaine toward the United States.
Trump’s announcement did not specify when a formal pardon might be issued.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
