Juan Orlando Hernandez, former president of Honduras, has been released from a U.S. prison after receiving a full and unconditional pardon from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Hernandez had been serving a 45-year sentence for his involvement in a major drug trafficking conspiracy.

Hernandez’s lawyer, Renato Stabile, confirmed his client’s release on December 2, 2025, just one day after the pardon was issued. Hernandez had been detained for over three years at a federal prison facility in West Virginia, following his conviction for orchestrating one of the largest and most violent cocaine trafficking operations targeting the United States.

Details of Hernandez’s Conviction

In 2024, Hernandez was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a sprawling narcotics conspiracy. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Hernandez accepted millions of dollars in bribes from violent drug-trafficking organizations over an 18-year period. Prosecutors alleged that he used his political influence to facilitate the importation of more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States.

Hernandez’s co-conspirators reportedly employed machine guns, grenade launchers, and other weapons to protect the cocaine shipments and secure their drug-trafficking territory across Honduras.

During his trial, Hernandez denied accepting bribes, asserting that his administration cooperated with the U.S. military to combat the narcotics trade. His wife, Ana Garcia, described the prosecution as a politically motivated “witch hunt” pushed by the Biden administration.

Trump’s Pardon and Political Implications

Former President Donald Trump announced the pardon via social media, describing Hernandez as having been “treated very harshly and unfairly.” Trump encouraged Hondurans to support right-wing candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura, a member of Hernandez’s political party, in the recent presidential election.

“I will be granting a Full and Complete Pardon to Former President Juan Orlando Hernandez who has been, according to many people that I greatly respect, treated very harshly and unfairly,” Trump wrote.

The pardon has sparked strong criticism from U.S. lawmakers and international observers. Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto condemned the decision, stating that Hernandez “personally helped the Sinaloa Cartel and El Chapo traffic deadly drugs into the United States” and that Trump’s pardon undermined law enforcement efforts.

Context of U.S.-Latin America Relations

Hernandez’s pardon comes amid a broader U.S. campaign targeting alleged drug trafficking in Latin America. The Trump administration has conducted air strikes against drug boats in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean, a strategy criticized by some as violating domestic and international law. Trump has also issued threats against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of leading a drug cartel designated as a “terrorist” group by the U.S.

The timing of the pardon coincides with a closely contested Honduran presidential election, in which right-wing candidate Asfura faces off against Salvador Nasralla. Trump has publicly questioned the integrity of the election, further inflaming political tensions in the country.

Hernandez’s Release

Hernandez was released early on December 2, 2025, following the signing of his full pardon. His lawyer confirmed that the pardon was “full and unconditional,” clearing the way for Hernandez to return to Honduras immediately. The former president’s release marks a dramatic turn in a case that had drawn international attention due to the scale of the alleged drug trafficking operations and the involvement of a sitting head of state.