Honduran Ex-President Hernandez Returns Following US Pardon Amidst Activist Concerns
Activists warn the upcoming trial may be a sham as Hernandez is not detained due to a suspended warrant, raising questions about accountability for his presidency and alleged drug trafficking ties.
Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has returned to Honduras from the United States following a presidential pardon granted by Donald Trump. Hernandez, who was serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking in the US, arrived at Palmerola International Airport on Sunday, where he was greeted by family and supporters. His return marks the conclusion of his extradition to the US four years ago, ending a period of incarceration that he described as extremely difficult.
Trump granted the pardon in December, asserting that Hernandez’s US trial was a “setup” by the Biden administration. In a social media post earlier this month, Hernandez expressed “profound emotion and joy” at his return, stating he was counting down the days to see his family. He characterised his time in prison as a process he would not wish on anyone, emphasising the personal toll of his legal battles.
Despite the pardon on US charges, Hernandez is scheduled to face fraud and money-laundering charges in Honduras on 3 August. However, he was not detained upon arrival because an arrest warrant for him in Honduras was suspended in June. This legal development has sparked concern among local activists and human rights groups regarding the integrity of the upcoming proceedings.
Joaquin Mejia, a lawyer and researcher for the Reflection, Research and Communication Team, a human rights organisation, warned that the suspension of the warrant could be the first step in avoiding justice. Mejia suggested that Hernandez might be issued alternative measures to imprisonment to maintain appearances, ultimately resulting in no sanction. He described Hernandez as the “boss of all drug bosses” and noted that while a social majority is outraged, many remain silent due to fear.
Hernandez served as President of Honduras from 2014 to 2022, during which time he was previously considered an ally by the US in its “war on drugs”. US prosecutors at his New York trial alleged that Hernandez had told drug dealers they would “shove the drugs right up the noses of the gringos”. Additionally, the Pandora Papers investigation accused Hernandez of diverting nearly $11 million in state funds to political campaigns between 2010 and 2013, including his first presidential campaign. Former President Porfirio Lobo and ex-Finance Minister Wilfredo Cerrato were also implicated in this investigation, though charges against them were dismissed.
