Ex-president of Honduras expresses gratitude to Trump for pardon

Juan Orlando Hernndez, the former president of Honduras, expressed his thanks to former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday after receiving a pardon for charges linked to aiding drug traffickers. Posting on the social platform X, Hernndez stated, I said it as I left my home, I said it as I was wrongfully convicted, and I will say it again now that I have my liberty. I am innocent.

He added, My deep gratitude goes to President @realDonaldTrump for having the courage to defend justice when a politicized system refused to see the truth. Hernndez emphasized that Trump acknowledged the unfairness of his 45-year prison sentence.

The former president had been convicted in July 2024 for collaborating with drug traffickers who aimed to transport cocaine into the United States. Trump issued the pardon on Friday, arguing that Hernndez had been treated very harshly and unfairly.

Hernndez claimed, I was set up by the Biden-Harris administration and the deep state through a rigged trial. There was no real evidence, only the accusations of criminals seeking revenge. Yet the truth of my innocence has prevailed. He concluded his post by promising more information soon and reiterated his appreciation to Trump, describing him as having his enduring respect and gratitude.

Some Republican lawmakers expressed disagreement with the pardon. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) stated she would have never done that, while Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) warned the decision sent a horrible message, highlighting perceived inconsistencies in U.S. drug policy and foreign relations.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) criticized the pardon as well, calling Hernndez one of the most recent grotesque offenders responsible for trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the U.S., and argued that the pardon conveyed the wrong message.

Trumps pardon occurred shortly before Hondurans voted for a new president. He supported conservative candidate Nasry Tito Asfura, praising him as a potential Great President and emphasizing that U.S.-Honduras relations would benefit from his leadership. As of Thursday, Asfura was narrowly leading over TV personality Salvador Nasralla after several days of tied results, according to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Author: Chloe Ramirez