Picture courtesy of Elmer Martinez / AP | via CBS News

 

A former Honduran president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted of smuggling 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S., has been freed from prison following a pardon by US president Donald Trump. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed Hernandez's release from a West Virginia facility, as announced by his wife, Ana García, on social media.

 

The pardon comes amid Trump's involvement in anti-drug operations and political interests in Honduras. Trump defended his decision, citing unfair treatment of Hernandez based on respected sources. Hernandez had been appealing his conviction since his extradition to the U.S. in 2022, where he faced charges linked to a vast criminal enterprise.

 

Trump’s move has sparked criticism from American lawmakers across the political spectrum. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy questioned the rationale behind pardoning Hernandez while targeting others like Maduro for similar crimes. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine emphasised the seriousness of Hernandez's conviction and voiced concerns about the implications of such pardons.

 

Looking forward, Hernandez's release will likely remain a contentious issue, fuelling debates over drug policies and presidential clemency. As Hernandez reunites with his family in Honduras, the aftermath of the pardon continues to draw diverse reactions both domestically and internationally, reported CBS News.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Juan Orlando Hernandez was released following a presidential pardon by Donald Trump.
• Trump's decision has attracted bipartisan criticism and controversy.
• The pardon raises questions about the U.S. approach to narcotrafficking penalties.
   

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CBS News 2025-12-03

 

 

 

And yet he’s killing Venezuelans suspected of smuggling drugs…..this absolutely reeks of corruption to me.bet that was one big brown envelope ehh???

I hope he gets arrested in Honduras.

2 hours ago, Tug said:

And yet he’s killing Venezuelans suspected of smuggling drugs…..this absolutely reeks of corruption to me.bet that was one big brown envelope ehh???

Roger Stone was the intermediary between Hernandez and Trump. Coax him to write a flattering letter to Trump addressing him as "your excellency'. Won over the man child with flattery and kinds. 

Trump gave one of the most bogus rationales for pardon, saying "some people in Honduras" complained to him; that it conviction was some Biden miscarriage of justice.... left out fact he was convicted by a jury trial... "arrested and put in jail".

Would be nice if crypto accounts could be checked... I wonder by how much Trump's untraceable balance went up: 5 million? 10?

On 12/2/2025 at 8:57 PM, Emdog said:

Trump gave one of the most bogus rationales for pardon, saying "some people in Honduras" complained to him; that it conviction was some Biden miscarriage of justice.... left out fact he was convicted by a jury trial... "arrested and put in jail".

Would be nice if crypto accounts could be checked... I wonder by how much Trump's untraceable balance went up: 5 million? 10?

I’d suspect a rather large brown envelope…….feels more like a corrupt banana republic every day.Im thinking its blatant enough for even a dullard of a trump supporter to get it.what a <deleted> show of an administration.

On 12/3/2025 at 6:53 AM, webfact said:

The pardon comes amid Trump's involvement in anti-drug operations and political interests in Honduras. Trump defended his decision, citing unfair treatment of Hernandez based on respected sources. Hernandez had been appealing his conviction since his extradition to the U.S. in 2022, where he faced charges linked to a vast criminal enterprise.

Respected sources - the more you give me the more I respect you!

Trump made a deal he got a bunch of crypto money let the guy go with the signing of his name Trump will do anything to increase his wealth he has no Maral ethics whatsoever he’s a liar he’s a cheat is it the age now he really knows he’s never gonna go to jail for anything so why not just keep ripping everybody off the worst president in history Donald J Trump Got a big fat brown 

Lets look at this pardon. The man who falsely represents himself as a law and order president and someone interested in fighting the flow of drugs, pardons a drug lord who helped transship tons of cocaine from Colombia. Fascinating. It would be both a paradox and hypocritical, if the goon had one ethical nanogram in his entire body. Since he doesn't, it is to be expected. Most of his pardons have been suspect. And it is very possible huge sums of money are involved. It would fit with what we know about the most corrupt president in US history. 

 

 

Trump must be richer by billions...

Well, he’s dragging Venezuela into a war now over drugs, but pardons this POS?! 
 

I wonder how mich tea money has flown there….

Americas a joke. Trump frees this drug supplier while threatening Venezuela with invasion on a sketchy reason just like his hero Putin. I’m guessing he got the pardon because he was arrested under Biden. Honestly America is in decline and has no right to be interfering in the Ukraine peace talks when it has no credibility. I’m amazed that Americans are putting up with this, they’re obviously dumber than I thought!

Venezuela has so much petrol, compare to other producing countries, you won't believe. 

This is what Trump is going after. 

Nothing to do with the "war on drug"!

Anyone else notice the striking absence of our MAGA members from this thread?

57 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Anyone else notice the striking absence of our MAGA members from this thread?

Bingo!!Riclac,yagota,ted.g,blaze master ,Jonny f were are you guys??why aren’t you guys sticking up for your political god head??this corruption is so blatant seems evin the resident trolls are embarrassed.😞 

The absence of the resident far right AN bigots from this subject speaks volumes .

Don’t worry they’ll be back when they spot a post which has a softer nuance e.g. “Epstein files” or “Stop the boats” or they will be supporting vile people who incited far right thugs to commit mass murder as just saying “hurty words”.

Looking forward to the bigotry in their defence of the extra judicial murders committed in the Caribbean by Trump and his Ministry of War!