Hernández, who governed from 2014 to 2022, was extradited shortly after leaving office and convicted in a New York federal court for helping move more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States.

The pardon announcement arrives amid escalating U.S. operations against drug networks and growing political tension in Central America.

Pardon Announcement Ahead of Election

The president said Hernández had been “treated very harshly and unfairly,” echoing claims circulated by political allies.

The decision was disclosed in a social-media post supporting conservative candidate Nasry Asfura in Sunday’s election, in which polls show a three-way contest between Asfura, Rixi Moncada and Salvador Nasralla.

Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in June 2024 and was convicted in March 2024 of conspiring to import cocaine and possessing machine guns.

Former Leader’s Role In Drug Networks

Court filings state that Hernández facilitated the trafficking of hundreds of tons of cocaine, with estimates reaching 400 tons, yielding roughly 4.5 billion doses.

Prosecutors said he accepted millions of dollars from traffickers between 2004 and 2022, even shielding operations involving his brother. Officials previously described the scheme as one of the world’s largest organised narcotics conspiracies led by a head of state.

U.S. Leverage And Regional Pressure

The president tied future financial support for Honduras to the election outcome, warning that Washington would not “throw good money after bad” if his preferred candidate lost.

The administration has simultaneously intensified maritime strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in more than 80 deaths since August. These actions form part of a broader push targeting networks linked to Venezuela’s leadership, which U.S. officials label as narcoterrorist entities.

Domestic Ramifications In Honduras

Asfura welcomed the endorsement while distancing himself from Hernández, saying the party was not responsible for the former leader’s actions.

Rival candidates criticised the involvement of U.S. leadership in the election, with Nasralla accused of splitting the conservative vote and Moncada framed as ideologically aligned with left-wing governments in the region. The race remains unpredictable, with major parties trading accusations of foreign interference.