Honduran ex‑president Juan Orlando Hernández says no deal with Trump after pardon

Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández told reporters he and his family never promised anything to former U.S. President Donald Trump in exchange for the pardon Trump granted in December. Hernández said he has never spoken personally with Trump, only sent a letter requesting clemency, and wants to thank him in a personal way.

Hernández framed his conviction and the pardon as part of a political “witch hunt” and alleged that investigations by U.S. journalists and political figures were part of a broader campaign. He noted that a Honduran judge has kept an arrest warrant active for him over alleged money‑laundering and fraud involving more than 62 million lempiras, and that he faces threats to his safety. He also mentioned his brother’s ongoing drug‑trafficking sentence in the United States, saying he cannot comment further as the case is still pending.