Honduran court drops charges against former president Hernandez

Honduran judiciary has dismissed charges against Juan Orlando Hernandez, the nation's former president, regarding allegations of fraud and money laundering, according to a statement made on Tuesday. This decision comes nine months after Hernandez's release from a U.S. prison, where he served a lengthy term for drug trafficking charges.

The judge ruled that Hernandez was not responsible for budgetary decisions during the time of the alleged crimes, and it could not be proven that the stolen funds were directed towards his 2013 presidential campaign. Former president Hernandez expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, stating that the charges had been politically motivated and that his family had been left destitute due to the alleged operation.

His wife, Ana Garcia, also commented on her party's presidential nomination in 2025. Despite the supporters' jubilation, anti-corruption groups cautioned that the ruling might further shake the public's faith in the Honduran courts, citing the absence of a crucial prosecution witness whose release from prison was announced just before the verdict.

Prosecutors have the option to appeal the decision. Following his extradition from the U.S. in 2022, Hernandez was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison in the U.S. However, his sentence was later commuted by former U.S. President Donald Trump shortly before Honduras' November 2021 presidential election. The pardon was made in hopes of swaying the country's election, with Trump threatening to cut aid to Honduras if his preferred candidate, Nasry Asfura, from Hernandez's right-wing National Party, did not win.

Since his release from U.S. custody, Hernandez has remained under investigation for fraud and money laundering, part of the broader Pandora II corruption probe. This investigation implicated Hernandez and other prominent officials in diverting approximately $11 million in state funds to political campaigns between 2010 and 2013, some of which are believed to have funded Hernandez's initial presidential bid.

Similar charges have also been dropped against other high-ranking officials, including former President Porfirio Lobo and former Finance Minister Wilfredo Cerrato. During his presidency from 2014 to 2022, Hernandez's administration was characterized as a "narco-state," allowing drug traffickers to operate with minimal interference, contributing to widespread violence and extortion among Hondurans.

In an interview with Reuters in late July, Hernandez expressed no immediate intentions to run for public office in Honduras but wished to support the new government.