Honduras’ attorney general has ordered the arrest of former President Juan Orlando Hernández, just days after he was freed from U.S. federal prison under a pardon issued by President Donald Trump.
Arrest Order Reinstated
Attorney General Johel Antonio Zelaya said he instructed national authorities and Interpol to enforce a 2023 Honduran arrest order for alleged fraud and money laundering. The document, signed by a Supreme Court magistrate, requires immediate action if Hernández is released by the U.S.—a condition now met.
Hernández had been serving a 45-year sentence in the United States for conspiring with drug traffickers to send massive quantities of cocaine into the country.
Corruption Case and Political Tension
Hernández is among dozens linked to the Pandora case, a major corruption scandal alleging that government funds were funneled through NGOs to political campaigns, including his own.
His attorney called the renewed arrest push “strictly political,” accusing the ruling LIBRE party of trying to intimidate the former president as it heads out of power.
Trump’s Pardon Sparks Controversy
Trump granted Hernández a “full and complete pardon,” arguing he was treated unfairly and over-prosecuted. The former Honduran leader echoed that sentiment, saying he was “wrongfully convicted” and thanking Trump for “changing my life.”
U.S. prosecutors, however, portrayed Hernández as a key facilitator of the drug trade who used state security forces to protect traffickers while publicly posing as an anti-narcotics ally.
What Happens Next
Honduran authorities say they intend to detain Hernández once he re-enters their jurisdiction. The case now sits at the intersection of international law, domestic politics, and a high-profile presidential pardon that continues to reverberate across both countries.
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