President Donald Trump, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Hernández arrived in the capital on Sunday, July 26, 2026, four years after his extradition to the United States on drug trafficking charges, and immediately traveled to Comayagua to address supporters at a local ranch rally.
U.S. Pardon and Drug Conviction Details
The return follows a December presidential pardon granted by Donald Trump, according to AFP reporting. Trump intervened after a U.S. court sentenced Hernández to 45 years in prison in 2024. According to AFP, U.S. federal courts found Hernández guilty of helping smuggle hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States through alliances with major cartel figures, including Mexican cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
President Joe Biden, according to AFP. Addressing hundreds of supporters at the Sunday rally, Hernández repeated Trump’s rationale. “Presidente yang paling paham situasi di dunia mengatakan: ‘Saya telah meninjaunya — saya dan tim saya telah meninjaunya secara rinci — dan ketidakadilan luar biasa telah terjadi di sini; ini adalah witch hunt, ini adalah penggunaan sistem peradilan sebagai senjata politik,'” Hernández told the crowd, quoting the U.S. justification.
Upcoming Honduran Legal Proceedings
Despite his release from U.S. custody, Hernández faces immediate legal challenges in his home country. According to AFP, the former president (who served from 2014 to 2022) is scheduled to appear in a Honduran court on August 3 to face separate charges of fraud and money laundering.
Honduran prosecutors accuse Hernández of diverting $2 million in public funds to finance his initial presidential campaign, according to AFP. Hernández has strongly denied the accusations, characterizing the domestic proceedings as a continuation of political persecution. A Honduran judge suspended an active arrest warrant after Hernández agreed to make a voluntary court appearance. “Hal terakhir yang akan saya lakukan adalah menundukkan kepala ketika kebenaran ada di pihak saya,” Hernández stated, as reported by AFP.
Did you know? Juan Orlando Hernández was extradited to the United States in 2022, shortly after completing his final term as the President of Honduras, before being convicted in a U.S. federal court in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Juan Orlando Hernández return to Honduras?
According to AFP, Hernández returned to Tegucigalpa on Sunday, July 26, 2026, after landing on a private aircraft.
Why was Hernández released from U.S. prison?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump granted Hernández a presidential pardon in December, citing an unfair trial and political targeting by the Biden administration, as reported by AFP.
What charges does Hernández face in Honduras?
According to AFP, Hernández is scheduled to appear in court on August 3 to face allegations of fraud and money laundering involving the alleged diversion of $2 million in public funds.
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