Nationwide — Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been released from a U.S. prison after President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon. He had been serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking charges.
Hernandez, 57, was held at the U.S. Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia, after being extradited from Honduras in 2022. He was convicted in 2024 for helping drug cartels smuggle massive amounts of cocaine into the United States.
His wife, Ana Garcia de Hernandez, shared on social media that her husband’s release brought relief after “nearly four years of pain, waiting, and difficult trials.” She thanked Trump for the pardon and called it a recognition of a truth their family always believed.
According to ABC News, Hernandez’s attorney confirmed that Trump granted a “full and unconditional pardon” on Monday evening. Hernandez was released early Tuesday, and his lawyer said the former president looks forward to rebuilding his life after nearly four years in prison.
The pardon sparked surprise and criticism among U.S. lawmakers. Critics pointed out that the decision seemed inconsistent with previous U.S. efforts to target drug trafficking. Some questioned why Hernandez received clemency despite leading one of the largest drug-trafficking conspiracies ever prosecuted in the U.S.
During his trial, prosecutors said Hernandez took bribes from drug cartels, protected traffickers, and helped smuggle hundreds of tons of cocaine, including aiding notorious figures like Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Despite these allegations, Trump’s pardon cleared Hernandez of his conviction and allowed him to return to freedom.