A court in Honduras has dismissed charges against former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who returned to the country in July after receiving a pardon in the United States for a drug-trafficking conviction. Hernandez had faced accusations of fraud and money laundering related to a corruption scheme that occurred from 2010 to 2013, prior to his presidency.
Judiciary spokesperson Carlos Silva stated that Hernandez was not responsible for budgetary decisions at the time of the alleged crimes. Hernandez, a member of the right-wing National Party, described the court's decision as a vindication, claiming that the case against him lacked basis and was politically motivated. He stated, "This chapter of political persecution has now ended."
Hernandez has been scrutinized throughout his political career, serving as president from 2014 to 2022. Reports indicated that he was under investigation by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) during his presidency. Despite being an ally in the US-backed "war on drugs," he was later accused of abusing his power to assist drug traffickers and accepting bribes.
The US Department of Justice characterized Hernandez as central to one of the largest drug-trafficking conspiracies globally. Following the end of his presidency, he was extradited to the US in April 2022, where he was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
His conviction was seen by many Hondurans as a significant instance of accountability for a powerful official, with public demonstrations occurring outside the New York City court during his sentencing. However, in December 2025, US President Donald Trump pardoned Hernandez, asserting that he had been treated unfairly by the previous administration.
Despite the pardon, Hernandez continued to face legal issues in Honduras, particularly related to the Pandora case, which involved allegations that officials, including Hernandez, misappropriated public funds for political campaigns. Prosecutors claimed that approximately $10.8 million in state funds were diverted between 2010 and 2013, with Hernandez allegedly receiving around $2.3 million.
The domestic arrest warrant against Hernandez was suspended, allowing his return to Honduras. Analysts have raised concerns that Trump's support and the National Party's influence could compromise the integrity of the judicial process. The judiciary stated that the evidence did not establish Hernandez's involvement in the investigated events. Other politicians implicated in the Pandora scandal have also had their charges dismissed.