Honduran court drops case against ex-President Hernandez after Trump pardon
Summary
A court in Honduras has dropped corruption charges against former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who returned to the country in July after being pardoned in the United States for a drug-trafficking conviction. Hernandez, a right-wing politician who served as president from 2014 to 2022, had faced accusations of money laundering and fraud as part of a corruption scheme from 2010 to 2013. On Tuesday, the judiciary spokesperson Carlos Silva stated that Hernandez was not responsible for budgetary decisions at the time of the alleged crimes. The court maintained that the evidence did not establish the defendant's participation in the investigated events. Hernandez celebrated the decision as a vindication, arguing that the case against him had no basis and was pursued for political purposes. Analysts expressed concern that the backing of US President Donald Trump and the National Party's control of the government could turn the trial into a sham process.
Key points
- Honduras's Supreme Court dropped charges against former President Juan Orlando Hernandez on Tuesday, citing insufficient evidence.
- Hernandez returned to Honduras in July after being pardoned by US President Donald Trump in December 2025.
- The court decision also dropped charges against other politicians involved in the Pandora case, including former President Porfirio Lobo and ex-Finance Minister Wilfredo Cerrato.
- Hernandez was convicted in the US in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy.
- The Pandora case involved the diversion of roughly $10.8m in state funds, with Hernandez allegedly receiving about $2.3m.
Timeline
Honduran officials extradite Hernandez to the US.
Hernandez is convicted in the US and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
US President Donald Trump pardons Hernandez.
Hernandez returns to Honduras after his US pardon.
A Honduran court drops corruption charges against Hernandez.
“This chapter of political persecution has now ended.”
Background
Hernandez was a prominent figure in the right-wing National Party, serving as president from 2014 to 2022.
Why it matters
The decision to drop the charges has raised concerns among analysts that the trial was a sham process, particularly given the political backing from the US and the National Party.
What's next
Hernandez remains a prominent political figure in Honduras, and the National Party's control of the government continues to influence the country's political landscape.