The former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, returned to his homeland on Sunday. This followed a pardon from the United States. Hundreds of supporters greeted him at the airport. Four years after his extradition and trial in the U.S. for drug trafficking charges, Hernández came back to face justice in Honduras.
Supporters gathered outside Palmerola International Airport to welcome the ex-leader. His private plane touched down at 8:32 a.m. His family, including his wife, children, and mother, awaited him at the terminal.
Hernández arrived with his U.S. lawyer, Renato Stabile, and three Honduran generals: Tulio Armando Romero Palacios, Willy Joel Oseguera Rodas, and Javier René Barrientos Alvarado. Stabile disembarked first, followed by Hernández, who waved to the crowd.
He wore a white shirt and blue jeans. His first embrace was for his mother, Elvira Alvarado, followed by kisses to his wife and hugs for his children and granddaughter. Together, they knelt at the edge of the runway, giving thanks for his return.
Hernández greeted airport staff before traveling to the Migration office for processing. Afterward, he left the airport heavily guarded. The crowd chanted his name, and many reached out to shake his hand. He expressed gratitude, saying he felt happy to be back in his homeland.
Supporters waved numerous flags of the National Party. Hernández then traveled with a large convoy to a ranch where friends and party colleagues awaited. Along a nearby road, a stage was set for him to address his followers.
During his speech, Hernández described himself as ‘blessed by God,’ attributing his strength to his family. He thanked supporters for their prayers, asserting his innocence against allegations he called retaliatory due to extraditions he enforced.
Despite being sentenced to 45 years in the U.S., Hernández returned after a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The pardon cited an unfair trial and alleged manipulation by the Biden administration. Hernández was freed on December 1, 2025, and expressed his wish to reunite with his family in Honduras.
His legal representative announced Hernández’s willingness to face the charges of fraud and money laundering raised against him. A Honduran Supreme Court judge suspended the arrest warrant, allowing his return.
Hernández, aged 57, must appear in court on August 3 at 9:00 a.m. to face corruption charges connected to the Pandora II case. Investigations allege he benefited from misused public funds for his political campaign using fronts and fictitious companies.
He insists on his innocence, confident that the lack of legal grounds for the case will eventually be recognized.
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