After Trump pardon, BOP frees ex‑Honduras president Hernández; Honduras AG vows to seek justice
President Trump granted a full pardon to former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, and the Bureau of Prisons confirmed Hernández’s release from U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton. Hernández had been convicted in U.S. federal court of conspiring to import more than 400 tons of cocaine (and related weapons offenses), was sentenced to 45 years and was appealing. Trump defended the pardon as correcting an injustice and called the case a “Biden setup,” drawing bipartisan U.S. criticism, while Honduran Attorney General Johel Zelaya vowed his office will seek justice and said Hernández is not guaranteed a quick return to Honduras.
📌 Key Facts
- President Trump granted a "full and complete" pardon to former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández; the Bureau of Prisons confirmed Hernández was released from U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia (release listed Dec. 1, 2025) and his wife posted a BOP screenshot announcing his release.
- Hernández was convicted in U.S. federal court of conspiring to import more than 400 tons of cocaine (and related weapons offenses), was sentenced to 45 years, and the trial judge described him as a "two‑faced politician" who concealed protection of the drug trade.
- Trump publicly defended the pardon — in remarks aboard Air Force One and on social platforms — calling the case a "Biden setup" and saying Hernández was "treated very harshly and unfairly;" White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the prosecution as "Biden overprosecution."
- Roger Stone lobbied directly for a pardon and said he delivered a four‑page letter from Hernández to Trump; Axios and NPR report Hernández also sent a letter addressing Trump as "Your Excellency," alleging wrongful conviction and ineffective counsel, and Hernández is actively appealing his conviction.
- Honduras Attorney General Johel Zelaya said his office is obligated to seek justice and end impunity, signaling possible legal action in Honduras and that Hernández is not guaranteed a quick return to the country.
- The pardon came amid a tightly contested Honduran presidential election in which Trump publicly endorsed National Party candidate Nasry "Tito" Asfura, tied the pardon rhetorically to Asfura’s prospects, and U.S. and Honduran reports showed Asfura narrowly leading Salvador Nasralla with Rixi Moncada trailing; local analysts said Trump’s intervention may have improved Asfura’s standing.
- The move prompted bipartisan criticism in the U.S.: Sen. Tim Kaine called the pardon "shocking" and said it undermines anti‑narcotics efforts, while Sen. Bill Cassidy and others questioned the decision.
- Hernández’s U.S. attorney Renato C. Stabile thanked President Trump, calling the pardon a correction of an injustice; co‑counsel Sabrina Shroff declined to comment.
📊 Relevant Data
The homicide rate in Honduras declined from 75.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2013 to 41.2 per 100,000 in 2022 during Juan Orlando Hernández's presidency from 2014 to 2022.
Honduras: An Overview — EveryCRSReport.com
Indigenous communities in Honduras, which comprise about 7% of the population, are disproportionately affected by drug trafficking through threats, violence, and land grabs, with narco-trafficking contributing to deforestation and displacement.
2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Honduras — U.S. Department of State
Between 2014 and 2022, primary causes of migration from Honduras to the US included violence, poverty, and economic instability, with over 60% of the population living in poverty and homicide rates exceeding 40 per 100,000 in several years.
Central American Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Poverty rates in Honduras reached 63% of the population in recent years, with rural and Indigenous populations facing higher rates of extreme poverty at around 19% for children under 5 experiencing stunting.
Honduras — World Food Programme
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Trump’s Pardon for Cocaine Juan
"The WSJ editorial criticizes President Trump’s pardon of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández as a politically motivated move that rewards a convicted trafficker and undermines accountability for large‑scale cocaine smuggling and its attendant violence."
📰 Sources (10)
Former Honduran president released from US prison after Trump pardon
New information:
- Bureau of Prisons confirmed to Fox News that Juan Orlando Hernández was released on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.
- Trump said Hernández was 'treated very harshly and unfairly,' implying a politically driven or over‑prosecuted case.
- Article reiterates conviction specifics (conspiring to import 400+ tons of cocaine; related weapons offenses; two‑week trial) and includes the judge’s assessment that Hernández used 'considerable acting skills' to conceal protection of the drug trade.
Trump pardons Honduran ex-president who was convicted of drug crimes
New information:
- A White House official (on background) confirmed President Trump granted the pardon to Juan Orlando Hernández.
- Sen. Tim Kaine publicly condemned the pardon as “shocking,” arguing it undermines anti‑narcotics efforts, with an on‑record quote on CBS’ Face the Nation.
- Roger Stone lobbied for Hernández’s release and says he delivered a four‑page letter from Hernández to Trump asserting wrongful conviction and “lawfare by the Biden‑Harris administration.”
- Trump previously teased the action in a social post: “CONGRATULATIONS TO JUAN ORLANDO HERNANDEZ ON YOUR UPCOMING PARDON… MAKE HONDURAS GREAT AGAIN!”
- Background specifics reiterated from court records: Judge P. Kevin Castel called Hernández a “two‑faced politician hungry for power,” and former AG Merrick Garland said Hernández operated Honduras as a narco‑state.
- Context note that Hernández’s government moved Honduras’s Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and cultivated ties with Trump during overlapping terms.
Former Honduras President Hernández freed from prison after Trump pardon
New information:
- Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed Hernández’s release; inmate website showed release from USP Hazelton on Monday.
- Trump’s on‑the‑record Air Force One remarks explaining the pardon, including claiming Hernández was a 'Biden administration set‑up.'
- Hernández’s wife, Ana García, thanked Trump on X and posted a screenshot of the BOP listing.
- Honduras Attorney General Johel Zelaya said his office is obligated to seek justice and end impunity, signaling possible charges; Hernández is not guaranteed a quick return to Honduras.
Honduran ex-president pardoned by Trump released from prison, wife says
New information:
- Juan Orlando Hernández has been released from the U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton after a presidential pardon; his wife announced his release and BOP records show a matching release entry.
- President Trump publicly defended the pardon aboard Air Force One, alleging the case was a 'Biden setup.'
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the prosecution a 'clear Biden overprosecution' and referenced 'egregious' information from the trial.
- Bipartisan criticism followed: Sen. Bill Cassidy questioned the decision and Sen. Tim Kaine called it 'shocking,' citing the scale of the cocaine conspiracy.
- Context noted: the pardon comes as the administration orders maritime strikes on suspected drug boats and backs a Honduran party candidate amid a tense election count.
Scoop: The letter behind Trump's pardon of Honduras' ex-president for drug trafficking
New information:
- Hernández sent Trump a four-page letter addressing him as "Your Excellency," praising his resilience and alleging the Biden DOJ pursued a political agenda in his case.
- Roger Stone published multiple Substack posts urging a pardon and says he directly lobbied Trump on Friday; minutes after Trump endorsed Asfura, he posted that he’d pardon Hernández.
- Trump told reporters the Hernández case "was a Biden setup."
- Axios details letter claims of ineffective counsel; context notes former AUSA Emile Bove (now a Trump-appointed judge) previously worked the Hernández cases, undercutting a pure political-persecution narrative.
Why Trump vows to pardon a Honduran drug trafficker, but threatens war elsewhere
New information:
- With 57.3% of ballots counted, Nasry Asfura leads with 39.91% vs. Salvador Nasralla’s 39.89%, a 515‑vote margin; Rixi Moncada has 19.86%.
- Trump posted after official campaigning ended, labeling Moncada a “communist,” Nasralla “borderline communist,” and calling Asfura “the only real friend of Freedom in Honduras.”
- Local analyst attribution that Trump’s endorsement improved Asfura’s standing, noting he had trailed Nasralla in polls before the endorsement.
Hondurans vote in close presidential race overshadowed by surprise Trump intervention
New information:
- Honduran presidential voting began Sunday, Nov. 30, with lines forming at Tegucigalpa polling sites; one site opened about 30 minutes late.
- AP identifies the three leading contenders: Rixi Moncada (LIBRE), Salvador Nasralla (Liberal Party), and Nasry “Tito” Asfura (National Party).
- The article emphasizes Trump’s late‑stage endorsement of Asfura and pledge to pardon ex‑President Juan Orlando Hernández overshadowed the race; impact on results remains unclear.
- Context on voter priorities: security and jobs remain top issues, homicide rates have declined regionally but Honduras remains highest in Central America; economy strengthened under Castro.
- On‑the‑ground color and reaction including a deported Honduran’s criticism of Trump’s policies.
Trump plans 'full and complete pardon' for former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking
New information:
- Trump’s explicit wording that he will grant a 'Full and Complete Pardon' to Juan Orlando Hernández.
- Trump links the pardon rhetorically to Nasry 'Tito' Asfura’s prospective victory and says the U.S. would be 'very supportive' if Asfura wins.
- Direct Truth Social quotes in which Trump calls Hernández 'treated very harshly and unfairly.'
- Trump sharply criticizes rivals Rixi Moncada and Salvador Nasralla, labeling Nasralla a 'borderline Communist' and accusing him of splitting Asfura’s vote.
- Context that Hondurans vote Sunday and polls show Asfura virtually tied with Moncada and Nasralla (via Reuters).
- Restated conviction specifics: Hernández was sentenced to 45 years for conspiring to import over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S.
Trump plans to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez
New information:
- NPR/AP specify Hernández is currently imprisoned at U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia.
- Hernández is actively appealing his conviction.
- Attorney Renato C. Stabile issued a statement thanking Trump and calling the outcome a correction of an injustice; co-counsel Sabrina Shroff declined comment.
- Additional political context in Honduras: details on candidate Nasry 'Tito' Asfura’s background and prior embezzlement allegations he denies, plus mention of other contenders Rixi Moncada and Salvador Nasralla.