Honduras' Ex-President: Safety Concerns Keep Him Away
Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was recently pardoned by Donald Trump, will not be returning to Honduras immediately due to safety concerns.
Background and Pardon
- Presidency: 2014 to 2022
- Arrest: 2022 for drug and weapons trafficking
- Conviction: Found guilty by a U.S. jury in March 2024
- Sentence: 45 years in prison
- Pardon: Granted by Donald Trump; released this week
Safety Concerns
Hernandez's wife, Ana Garcia, stated that his past decisions as president have made it unsafe for him to return. She also mentioned that many criminals who testified against him have been released, further complicating his safety.
Honduran Elections
- Election Day: Sunday
- Preliminary Results:
- Liberal Party: Salvador Nasralla leading slightly
- National Party: Nasry Asfura close behind
- National Party: Affiliated with Hernandez
Future Plans
Garcia mentioned they will assess conditions next year and are confident the next government will be from the National Party. She also stated they will face any criminal cases in Honduras and will not flee the country.
Hernandez's Current Status
- Location: Safe place in the U.S.
- Protection: Provided by Trump's administration
- Health: In good health and spiritually well
- Morale: Very high
Criticism and Political Impact
Critics argue that Trump's pardon interfered with the Honduran elections, tipping the scales toward the National Party candidate, Asfura. Trump urged voters to support Asfura, while Garcia claims Trump helped protect democracy in Honduras.
U.S. Involvement in Honduras
The U.S. has had a deep political involvement in Honduras:
- 1980s: Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies maintained close ties with Honduras' military dictatorship, using it as a platform to intervene in neighboring nations.
- 2017: The U.S. government backed Hernandez's reelection despite massive fraud allegations.
