In a politically significant announcement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to give a full pardon to Juan Orlando Hernández. The former Honduran leader is currently serving a 45-year sentence in an American prison for serious drug and weapons crimes. Trump made this declaration on his Truth Social platform. The timing is notable, as it comes just as Honduras prepares for a very close presidential election this Sunday. In the same statement, Trump also gave his strong support to the conservative candidate in that race, Nasry "Tito" Asfura.
Trump described the punishment given to Hernández by the U.S. courts as too harsh and unfair. He mentioned that he had discussed the matter with people he respects. This promise of clemency is a major intervention for a foreign leader who was only convicted last year. During his trial, prosecutors proved that Hernández led a sophisticated plan to transport hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States. This is despite the fact that he had publicly presented himself as a fighter against the drug trade. The court heard that he accepted millions of dollars in bribes to protect these drug shipments.
The announcement raises important questions about its effect on the Honduran election. Trump clearly endorsed the conservative candidate, Asfura, and warned about what would happen if the opposition won. He suggested that if he becomes U.S. president again, he would cut off financial aid to Honduras if Asfura does not win. He described Asfura as a defender of democracy and called his opponents "borderline communist."
This is not the first time Trump has used this strategy; he did something similar during a recent election in Argentina. The political situation in Honduras is currently very divided, with polls showing a very close race between the main candidates.
Trump's promise also seems to contradict his own previous tough stance on international drug cartels while he was president. Meanwhile, the candidate he supports, Asfura, is trying to distance himself from the disgraced former president. He has stated that his party is not responsible for Hernández's personal actions. This situation shows how Honduran politicians must manage both local politics and the influence of powerful foreign figures, creating a complex challenge for the country's democracy.