Trump said he will pardon ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted last year in a US court of drug trafficking charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
US President Donald Trump on Friday made a major intervention into Honduran politics days before the Central American nation votes, pardoning a convicted ex-leader and threatening to cut US support if his preferred candidate loses.
Trump said he will pardon ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted last year in a US court of drug trafficking charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison. The stunning announcement came in a social media post proclaiming support for Nasry Asfura, the candidate of Hernandez’s right-wing party in Honduras’s presidential election on Sunday. “If he doesn’t win, the United States will not be throwing good money after bad, because a wrong Leader can only bring catastrophic results to a country, no matter which country it is,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Asfura, a 67-year-old construction magnate and former mayor of the Honduran capital, is running in a tight three-way race against a leftist lawyer and a fellow right-wing TV host in voting on Sunday. Hernandez was president for two terms, from 2014 to 2022, and was extradited to the United States just weeks after leaving office. A jury in New York convicted him in March 2024 of having facilitated the smuggling of hundreds of tons of cocaine — mainly from Colombia and Venezuela — to the United States via Honduras since 2004, starting long before he became president. Former US president Joe Biden’s attorney general, Merrick Garland, said after Hernandez’s sentencing last year that he had”abused his power to support one of the largest and most violent drug trafficking conspiracies in the world.” Trump said in his social media post on Friday that Hernandez”has been, according to many people that I greatly respect, treated very harshly and unfairly,” without elaborating.Topic Timeline
Ewn News News Eyewitness News Eye Witness News Latest News News Today Ewn South Africa Ewn-News Primedia+ Primedia Plus Prime Media Plus
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Orlando Pirates aim for results and entertainment as squad depth boosts momentumOrlando Pirates continue their strong form, balancing results with entertaining football, while returning players and strong depth position them well for league, cup, and national team success.
Read more ”
Raja Casablanca come knocking for Orlando Pirates starFormer Orlando Pirates coach Fadlu Davids is reportedly working on signing a Buccaneer for his side Raja Casablanca.
Read more ”
Ouaddou Highlights Orlando Pirates’ Contribution to Bafana Bafana’s SuccessOrlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou emphasizes the club’s role in shaping Bafana Bafana, highlighting their commitment to developing players for the national team. He notes that the club is prioritizing player development and a strong national team, and currently surpasses Mamelodi Sundowns in player call-ups.
Read more ”
Mokwena Reflects on Painful Orlando Pirates ExitRulani Mokwena, former coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, shares his deep disappointment over his departure from Orlando Pirates in 2019, calling it the most painful moment of his career. He discusses the circumstances surrounding his short stint with the Buccaneers and how it impacted him, leading him to seek opportunities to regain his love for football.
Read more ”
Orlando Pirates’ painful 13-year wait coming to an end?Orlando Pirates have their sights set on a first Betway Premiership crown since the heady days of 2012 when Benni McCarthy was a Buccaneer.
Read more ”
Durban City Coach Urges Belief Ahead of Orlando Pirates ClashDurban City coach Gavin Hunt emphasizes the need for belief and bravery from his players as they prepare to face the high-flying Orlando Pirates in their upcoming Betway Premiership match. Hunt acknowledges Pirates’ strong form and squad improvements, but insists City must focus on their own game and potential. He references their recent performance against Kaizer Chiefs as proof of their ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Read more “
