Trump announces pardon for former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking
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President Trump announced Friday that he plans to issue a “full and complete pardon” to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, while also reaffirming his support for presidential candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura just days before Hondurans head to the polls.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison in New York last year for conspiring with drug traffickers to move more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States, “was treated very harshly and unfairly.”
“I will grant a Full and Complete Pardon to Former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who, according to many people I respect very much, was treated very harshly and unfairly,” Trump said. “This cannot be allowed to happen, especially after Tito Asfura won the Election, when Honduras is heading towards Great Political and Financial Success.”
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Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez (second from right) is handcuffed and taken to a waiting plane at the Air Force base in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, as he is extradited to the United States, April 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Elmer Martinez)
Hernández was found guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and two related weapons charges in March 2024 after a two-week trial, according to the Associated Press.
Trump also doubled down on his support for Asfura, the National Party candidate and former mayor of Tegucigalpa, saying the United States would be “very supportive” if he wins because Washington has “so much confidence in him and his policies and what he will do for the great people of Honduras.”
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Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Asfura of the National Party (PN) addresses supporters at a campaign closing rally ahead of the November 30 general election in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on November 22, 2025. (REUTERS/Leonel Estrada)
In a separate Truth Social post published earlier Friday, Trump said he and Asfura “can work together to fight narcocommunists and provide necessary aid to the people of Honduras.”
He also harshly criticized Asfura’s rivals, including ruling party candidate Rixi Moncada and TV host Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party.
“His main rival is Rixi Moncada, who says Fidel Castro is her idol,” Trump said. “Normally the intelligent people of Honduras would reject him and elect Tito Asfura, but the Communists are trying to deceive the people by nominating a third Candidate, Salvador Nasralla”
Trump added: “Nasralla is no friend of Freedom. A borderline communist, he helped Xiomara Castro as Vice President. He won and helped Castro win. Then he resigned and now he’s pretending to be an anti-communist just to split Asfura’s votes. The Honduran people must not be fooled again.”
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President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after speaking to troops via video at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Hondurans vote on Sunday and polls show Asfura nearly tied with Moncada and Nasralla, according to Reuters.
The winner will rule the country from 2026 to 2030.
The Central American country has been led by President Xiomara Castro, the country’s first female president, since 2022, according to the AP.
