Pardoned ex-president Hernández asks Honduras not to politicize his trial

Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras who was recently granted a full pardon in the United States for drug trafficking charges, has returned to his home country to face a new set of legal challenges. The ex-leader is set to appear in court on August 3rd for an initial hearing on charges of fraud and money laundering related to state funds allegedly used to finance his 2013 political campaign.

Upon his arrival, Hernández addressed supporters and pleaded for impartiality in his upcoming trial. "I ask, like any citizen, that the law be applied as it should be, that they do not politicize justice," he stated, emphasizing his desire for a fair process. He also vowed to defend his family's assets, which were confiscated following his extradition to the U.S. in April 2022.

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I ask, like any citizen, that the law be applied as it should be, that they do not politicize justice.

The return of Hernández, who served as president from 2014 to 2022, has reignited debate surrounding the independence of Honduras's judiciary. While his allies view his return as an opportunity to prove his innocence, opposition figures and anti-corruption organizations express concerns about potential preferential treatment. The case, known as 'Pandora II,' also involves other former officials and businessmen, with investigations pointing to a network that allegedly facilitated the disbursement of millions of dollars to foundations between 2010 and 2013.

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I come as one more Honduran, who builds, edifies, unifies within my party and outside my party.