Trump Vows Pardon for Former Honduran President as Honduras Faces Tight Election

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he intends to grant a full pardon to former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, who is currently serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking and firearms convictions. Trump argued that Hernández has been “treated very harshly and unfairly,” despite a Manhattan jury finding him guilty in March 2024 of accepting millions in bribes to safeguard cocaine shipments headed for the U.S. Hernández, who governed Honduras from 2014 to 2022, has consistently claimed he was wrongfully convicted.

Trump’s statement comes as he also publicly backs Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Asfura of the conservative National Party. He warned that if Asfura does not win, the United States “will not be throwing good money,” signaling potential changes to U.S.–Honduras relations should he return to office. Asfura’s party maintained strong ties with Washington during Hernández’s presidency, and his candidacy is seen as a continuation of that alliance.

Honduras is preparing for a highly competitive election on Sunday, with polls showing Asfura locked in a virtual tie with Rixi Moncada of the ruling LIBRE Party and Salvador Nasralla of the centrist Liberal Party. The race is so close that some analysts worry multiple candidates may claim victory, raising the risk of post-election disputes.

Current President Xiomara Castro, in office since 2021, has aligned her administration with Cuba and Venezuela—nations facing severe economic and human rights crises. The Trump administration previously criticized both governments as dictatorships, and Trump’s latest comments suggest that such tensions may reemerge.

The Organization of American States and U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the integrity of Honduras’ electoral process and are monitoring developments closely. Whoever secures a simple majority will govern from 2026 to 2030, a period that could significantly reshape Honduras’ international partnerships and domestic policies.