Honduras Issues International Arrest Warrant For Ex-President Pardoned By Trump, Amid Corruption Allegations.
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the international community, Honduras' Attorney General Johel Zelaya has ordered an international arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was pardoned by US President Donald Trump last month and released from a US federal prison. The warrant targets Hernandez on charges of alleged money laundering and fraud in the so-called "Pandora" corruption case.
Zelaya stated that he issued the order due to "corruption and criminal networks" that have severely impacted Honduras, adding that he has instructed Honduran law enforcement authorities and urged INTERPOL to execute the international warrant. Hernandez's arrest is sought for allegedly siphoning public funds into political campaigns, including his 2013 presidential campaign.
Hernandez was released from a US federal prison in Virginia last week after being pardoned by Trump, but his whereabouts are currently unknown. His lawyer has dismissed the order as "a strictly political move" amid Honduras' ongoing general elections.
The former president, who served as Honduran President from 2014 to 2022, faces extradition and arrest on US drug trafficking charges. In 2024, Hernandez was sentenced to 45 years in prison for allegedly facilitating the importation of over 400 tons of cocaine into the US.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding Honduras' government, particularly with regards to corruption allegations. The international community is watching closely as this case unfolds, and it remains to be seen how Hernandez will respond to these latest charges.
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the international community, Honduras' Attorney General Johel Zelaya has ordered an international arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was pardoned by US President Donald Trump last month and released from a US federal prison. The warrant targets Hernandez on charges of alleged money laundering and fraud in the so-called "Pandora" corruption case.
Zelaya stated that he issued the order due to "corruption and criminal networks" that have severely impacted Honduras, adding that he has instructed Honduran law enforcement authorities and urged INTERPOL to execute the international warrant. Hernandez's arrest is sought for allegedly siphoning public funds into political campaigns, including his 2013 presidential campaign.
Hernandez was released from a US federal prison in Virginia last week after being pardoned by Trump, but his whereabouts are currently unknown. His lawyer has dismissed the order as "a strictly political move" amid Honduras' ongoing general elections.
The former president, who served as Honduran President from 2014 to 2022, faces extradition and arrest on US drug trafficking charges. In 2024, Hernandez was sentenced to 45 years in prison for allegedly facilitating the importation of over 400 tons of cocaine into the US.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding Honduras' government, particularly with regards to corruption allegations. The international community is watching closely as this case unfolds, and it remains to be seen how Hernandez will respond to these latest charges.
just got my stats on this 
and I'm low-key freaking out! 80% of Hondurans are saying they want the truth about Pandora 
and 95% of people online are discussing the case 
. looks like Hernandez' pardon by Trump is actually increasing scrutiny on him 
. did you know that Honduras has a corruption problem? 
it's real! 
. I'm also seeing some heat on the Twitterverse about how the US shouldn't be involved 
.
It's all so suspicious and shady, you feel? The whole thing with the Pandora case has me shook, especially since he allegedly siphoned public funds for his campaigns. Like, how can someone do this and get away with it? 
I'm curious to see how Hernandez is gonna respond to these new charges, especially considering his US drug trafficking issues...this could get messy! 
It seems like they're still trying to figure out if they can make being corrupt without getting caught. I mean, 45 years in the US for some cocaine smuggling and now they're adding money laundering and fraud on top of that? 
The Pandora case is getting all sorts of juicy details, but it's just more proof that Honduran politics are a hot mess. And Trump thinks he's a hero by pardoning this guy... 
Like, thanks for the "help", Donald! 
At least now Hernandez has to answer to someone other than his buddies in Honduras, so fingers crossed INTERPOL knows how to do its job 
. Honduras needs 2 b held accountable 4 all these corruption allegations. it's just too much to handle 
. I mean, who sips public funds into political campaigns? Hernandez is a total hypocrite 
. this case is getting more intense by the day! 
so like what's up with Trump pardoning him just to get rid of the US problem? 
it's like no one knows how to stop it, everyone's corrupt and it affects the whole country. 
and now Hernandez is in this mess again after being pardoned... 
it's crazy! 
I wonder what his lawyer meant by calling it a "strictly political move"... 
and what about the international community's involvement? 
is it gonna put pressure on Honduras to solve this corruption thing once and for all? 
they use like totally sustainable practices and the vibes are super chill 
anyway back to this honduras thing... i was reading about how corruption affects honduran politics and it's wild how much money goes missing 
. It's like they're trying to send a message that he won't get away with the corruption and money laundering 
. I think it's great that Honduras' Attorney General Johel Zelaya is taking action, but at the same time, I feel bad for Hernandez' lawyer saying it's just a "strictly political move" 
.
. But at the same time, you gotta wonder how far Trump's influence goes in getting pardons out to people who are clearly guilty of some pretty serious crimes 
️ - you think it's gonna protect everyone, but sometimes it just gets washed away 
... like Hernandez' chances of a peaceful life now 
Meanwhile, Hondurans are still dealing with the consequences of corruption on a daily basis. It's like, one step forward for justice, two steps back for the people affected by these actions 
. INTERPOL needs to get this guy ASAP and make an example out of him. It's time someone held accountable for all that shady dealings 
after all, he does sound like a character straight out of a thriller! 