Honduras trial concludes for key witness in ex-President Hernández's U.S. case

Tegucigalpa, Honduras., A Honduran court has concluded the money laundering trial of confessed drug trafficker Alexander Ardón, a pivotal witness in the U.S. prosecution of former President Juan Orlando Hernández. The court is set to announce its verdict on August 24.

The trial, which began Wednesday in Tegucigalpa, concluded after the defense presented its expert evidence and the prosecution, the Attorney General's Office, and Ardón's lawyers submitted their final arguments, according to the Judicial Branch. The case was heard by the Tribunal of Sentencing in Matters of Organized Crime, Environment, and Corruption.

Ardón, a former mayor from the now-governing National Party, followed the proceedings via videoconference due to security concerns. Prosecutors accuse Ardón and his fugitive brother, Hugo Alfredo, of being unable to account for over 50 million lempiras (approximately $1.8 million). Investigations suggest that since 2003, the brothers allegedly led a drug trafficking and money laundering operation, using illicit profits to acquire valuable properties, luxury vehicles, and farms.

Ardón, identified by Honduran authorities as the leader of the "AA cartel," was a crucial witness for the U.S. prosecution in the trial against former President Hernández. He testified that the Sinaloa Cartel contributed $1 million to fund Hernández's 2013 presidential campaign. Hernández, who governed Honduras from 2014 to 2022, was convicted in a New York federal court in June 2024.

Honduran authorities have also linked Ardón and his brother to Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera, known as 'El Chapo,' and Guatemalan Mario Ponce. They allegedly formed criminal alliances to expand their drug trafficking operations within Honduras. Ardón, who pleaded guilty in the U.S. to drug-related offenses, received a sentence of time served in January 2025, meaning he will not serve additional jail time beyond his pretrial detention. He was deported in April 2025 to face charges in Honduras.