World

Trump's pardon of a convicted trafficker undermines his drug war narrative

December 3, 2025

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been pardoned by President Trump, leading to his release from a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. This decision has drawn criticism as it contradicts Trump's declared commitment to combat drug-related crime, with Trump calling Hernández a victim of political persecution.

Ana Garcia de Hernandez, wife of former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez, prepares to give a press conference in Tegucigalpa on December 2, 2025. Fallen from grace with his former ally, the United States, which sentenced him to 45 years in prison last year, Juan Orlando Hernandez left prison on December 1 amid strong pressure from President Donald Trump over Honduras' presidential elections. (Photo by Orlando SIERRA / AFP via Getty Images)

Credit: (Orlando Sierra / AFP/Getty Images)

Key Highlights

Juan Orlando Hernández was convicted of trafficking 400 tons of cocaine.
He was serving a 45-year sentence prior to receiving the pardon.
Trump characterized Hernández's treatment as harsh and unfair.
Hernández's pardon raises questions about the consistency of Trump's drug war narrative.
He was released from a high-security facility in West Virginia.

World

Sources

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Trump's pardon of a convicted trafficker undermines his drug war narrative

Key Highlights

Sources

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