The Global Story Why has Trump pardoned Honduras’s drug trafficker ex-president?
Dec 3, 2025
Join BBC correspondent Will Grant, who has extensive experience reporting from Honduras, as he delves into the controversial pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, a former president convicted of drug trafficking. Grant explores the strategic implications of this decision amidst US-Honduran relations, revealing how Trump’s motives intertwine with migration and election dynamics. He discusses Hernández's political rise, the role of Roger Stone in the pardon discussions, and the mixed reactions from a skeptical Honduran public. It's a gripping examination of power, politics, and the complexities of US involvement in Central America.
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Pardon Versus Public Anti-Drug Posture
- Donald Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández while publicly positioning himself as tough on drugs and migration.
- The move aligns with electoral and geopolitical aims rather than a consistent anti-drug policy.
On-The-Road Pardon Breaking News
- Will Grant was en route covering an unrelated immigration story when he received a sudden request to report on the pardon.
- He had to stop at a truck stop to file an urgent 45-second dispatch back to London.
US Policy Tied To Honduran Election
- Trump publicly endorsed a Honduran presidential candidate and linked US aid to Honduras to that endorsement.
- The pardon promise appeared in the same message, tying US policy to electoral outcomes in Honduras.