Honduras has entered a new phase of political tension after Attorney General Johel Antonio Zelaya announced an international arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernández. The move comes only days after Hernández walked out of a United States prison following a controversial pardon issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The announcement was made public on Monday through a statement on Zelaya’s official X account, where he confirmed that the Agencia Técnica de Investigación Criminal (ATIC)—Honduras’s main investigative agency—had been ordered to act immediately. He also called on Interpol to enforce the arrest warrant, signaling that the government intends to pursue the former leader across borders.

A Dramatic Turn After a US Pardon

The warrant follows a stunning turn of events: Hernández had been serving a 45-year sentence in the United States for drug trafficking and weapons-related crimes. U.S. prosecutors described his actions as helping transform Honduras into a “narco-state”, claiming he played a significant role in transporting cocaine to the U.S.

He was convicted in New York in 2022 after being extradited from Honduras, accused of participating in one of the largest and most violent drug trafficking conspiracies in the world.

But last week, Trump issued a full presidential pardon, stating that Hernández had been treated “harshly and unfairly,” and urging Honduran voters to support Nasry “Tito” Asfura, the National Party’s candidate.

Former First Lady Says Hernandez Fears for His Safety

Hernández’s wife released a public statement saying that the former president will not return to Honduras immediately, citing security concerns. She added that he is currently in a “safe place” in the United States until conditions stabilize.

The fear stems from the heightened political atmosphere in Honduras, as well as ongoing corruption and embezzlement investigations in which the former president is a central figure.

Ongoing Investigations in Honduras

Even before his extradition, Hernández had been linked to domestic investigations targeting public officials accused of misusing government funds.
In 2023, he and several former government members were charged with diverting more than $12 million in public money to support his political campaign.

The new arrest warrant suggests Honduran prosecutors intend to revive or accelerate these cases.

Election Tensions Mount as Vote Count Continues

The legal drama around Hernández has erupted in the middle of a closely fought presidential election, held on November 30. With 97% of ballots counted, early results show:

• Nasry “Tito” Asfura (National Party): 40.52%
• Salvador Nasralla (centrist candidate): trailing by about 42,100 votes

The National Electoral Council (CNE) admitted on Friday that it temporarily halted counting at 88% of votes due to irregularities in 16% of tally sheets. These issues were attributed to the private company managing the vote-counting system.

International observers have urged Honduran authorities to expedite the remaining count and ensure transparency to maintain public trust during this politically sensitive moment.

A Nation Watching Closely

With a former president freshly pardoned by the U.S. yet wanted at home, election results still being verified, and mounting public distrust in political institutions, Honduras finds itself navigating one of the most turbulent moments in its recent history.

How the government, the courts, and international partners respond in the coming days could shape the country’s political stability for years to come.