July 26, 2026, 10:07 p.mJuly 26, 2026, 10:07 p.m
Can return to his country: Juan Orlando Hernández.Image: keystone
More than four years after being extradited to the United States on drug charges, the former president of Honduras, who was pardoned by US President Donald Trump, has returned to his country. Juan Orlando Hernández was received by his family at the international airport, as shown in a video he shared on the X platform.
Hernández was president of the Central American country between 2014 and 2022. Shortly after the end of his term in office, the conservative politician was extradited. Two years later, a New York court sentenced him to 45 years in prison. He was accused of turning Honduras into a “drug state”. He is being investigated for corruption in Honduras. However, an arrest warrant was recently revoked.
Trump decided on the pardon in the USA shortly before the Honduran presidential election eight months ago. The former head of state was “treated very harshly and unfairly,” said Trump, justifying the decision at the time. The election was won by Hernández’s party colleague and Trump’s favorite Nasry “Tito” Asfura. Trump intervened in the election campaign in favor of Asfura. (sda/dpa)