Honduras’ Attorney General, Johel Antonio Zelaya Alvarez, announced on December 3, 2023, that an arrest warrant has been issued for former President Juan Orlando Hernández. This decision follows Hernández’s recent release from a United States federal prison after being pardoned by former President Donald Trump. The arrest warrant stems from accusations of money laundering and fraud, which have raised significant concerns about corruption within the country.
Zelaya made the announcement via a post on social media platform X, stating that he has requested assistance from government agencies and the global police organization Interpol to locate and apprehend Hernández. He emphasized the detrimental effects of corruption, declaring, “We have been lacerated by the tentacles of corruption and by criminal networks that have profoundly marked the life of our country.” Included in his post was a photograph of the Supreme Court’s arrest order, dated November 28—the same day Trump announced his intention to pardon Hernández.
Hernández served as President of Honduras from 2014 until 2022. He was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, along with an $8 million fine, for drug trafficking offenses. His domestic charges arise from a high-profile anti-corruption investigation known as Pandora II, which implicated numerous prominent figures in Honduras, including politicians and business leaders. Prosecutors allege that Hernández siphoned approximately $2.4 million in kickbacks related to public contracts for his 2013 presidential campaign.
In response to the arrest warrant, Hernández’s attorney, Renato Stabile, described it as a politically motivated act by the ruling Libre Party, which is in opposition to Hernández’s conservative National Party. Stabile claimed, “This is obviously a strictly political move on behalf of the defeated radical left Libre party… It is shameful and a desperate piece of political theatre, and these charges are completely baseless.”
Meanwhile, Luis Santos, director of Honduras’ Specialized Unit against Corruption Crimes, confirmed that Hernández has an open case regarding money laundering and fraud in the Supreme Court of Justice. Santos noted that an international arrest warrant had been active since September 2023, held by the Ministry of Security and Interpol. If Hernández fails to return to Honduras, authorities plan to request his extradition from the United States.
Trump officially pardoned Hernández on December 3, expressing confidence in his decision. He referred to the prosecution of Hernández as a “Biden horrible witch hunt,” a statement that has garnered bipartisan criticism from members of Congress. Many have questioned the rationale behind pardoning someone with a drug trafficking conviction, especially given the former administration’s focus on disrupting drug trafficking in Latin America.
During his presidency, Hernández was accused of collaborating with drug cartels that reportedly transported more than 400 tons of cocaine through Honduras en route to the United States. Prosecutors alleged that he received substantial bribes, which he used to bolster his political career. Hernández has consistently maintained his innocence, alleging that his trial was unfair and relied on testimonies from individuals seeking revenge against him.
On social media, Hernández expressed gratitude towards Trump, stating, “I thank you for having the courage to defend justice at a moment when a weaponized system refused to acknowledge the truth.” As the situation unfolds, the implications for both Honduras and the international community remain significant.
