Trump grants pardon to former President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández

On December 2, former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernndez was released from a U.S. prison following a presidential pardon by Donald Trump, Hernndez's wife confirmed on Tuesday.

Trump revealed his intention to pardon Hernndez in a post on Truth Social last Friday. Hernndez had been convicted in 2024 for trafficking drugs into the United States, receiving a sentence of 45 years in prison and an $8 million fine. Trump stated that Hernndez had been "treated very harshly and unfairly."

According to prison records cited by the BBC, Hernndez was freed from the high-security USP Hazelton facility in West Virginia. His wife, Ana Garca de Hernndez, expressed gratitude to Trump on social media for the pardon. Hernndezs lawyer, Renato Stabile, also extended his thanks, emphasizing the relief and hope the former president feels after nearly four years of incarceration.

"On behalf of President Hernndez and his family, I would like to thank President Trump for correcting this injustice," Stabile said, noting that Hernndez is eager to rebuild his life.

The pardon sparked criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, who pointed to Hernndez's role in combating drug trafficking connected to immigration. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt described the pardon as an example of overreach by the previous administration, highlighting political opposition as a factor in Hernndez's prosecution.

Author: Ava Mitchell