The president of USA, Donald Trumppublicly defended the pardon granted to the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandezconvicted by American justice for drug trafficking. The statement took place during a press conference, this Saturday (3), it was made after confirmation of the capture of Nicolás Maduro on Venezuelan soil, who will also face narco-terrorism and trafficking charges in American courts.
Asked about the difference between Maduro’s situation and Hernández’s, Trump stated that the former Honduran leader was treated in a similar way to how Joe Biden’s government would have treated him. According to the president, Hernández was persecuted in a “very unfair” way.
Juan Orlando Hernandezwho presided over Honduras between 2014 and 2022, had been sentenced in 2024 to 45 years in prison and the payment of a fine of US$8 million for crimes related to drug trafficking.
The pardon granted by Trump in December generated criticism from members of the Republican and Democratic parties, who pointed out a possible contradiction in the government’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Context of the capture of Nicolás Maduro
The defense of the former Honduran president took place at the same event in which Trump celebrated what he called a “brilliant operation” to detain Nicolas Maduro.
The Venezuelan leader was captured by elite special forces, such as the Delta Forcein a joint action with the US police and tracking the CIA.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Floreswere removed from Venezuelan territory and are on board the ship USS Iwo Jimadestined for Nova Yorkwhere the former president will be prosecuted by the Southern District. The charges against him include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation and possession of destructive weapons.
