# Juan Orlando Hernández cleared of Pandora II charges > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-prosecution-of-honduran-drug-traffickers > Updated: 2026-09-07T13:23:48.000Z. Sources: 132. Developments: 13. Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been cleared of fraud and money laundering charges in the Pandora II corruption case. On 31 August 2026, a Honduran judge issued a definitive dismissal regarding the alleged irregular diversion of approximately 10.8 million dollars in public funds between 2010 and 2013. The court ruled that the evidence failed to establish Hernández’s participation, noting that he did not authorize or administer the resources while president of Congress. Prosecutors had alleged that Hernández received at least 62 million lempiras to fund political movements through foundations such as ‘Todos Somos Honduras’ and ‘Dibattista’ using shell companies. However, the court determined the prosecution failed to establish the traceability of the funds and noted the budget belonged to the Executive Branch during that period. Following the ruling, the judiciary announced that Hernández would be issued a definitive release letter and all judicial measures would be lifted. However, the Honduran Attorney General’s Office (PGR) announced on 7 September 2026 that it will appeal the dismissal. The PGR maintains that funds were diverted from agreements between the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock and the two foundations, with audits suggesting at least $2.3 million may have been used to fund Hernández’s political campaign. The PGR also criticized the judicial decision to exclude significant documentary and evidentiary proof and raised concerns regarding the release of Luis Fernando Suárez, a key witness and administrator of the foundations. ## Claims - Juan Orlando Hernández is scheduled to appear before a Honduran court on 3 August on fraud and money‑laundering charges. (disputed by 15 sources) - A Honduran judge issued a definitive dismissal for former president Juan Orlando Hernández in the Pandora II case. (disputed by 10 sources) - A judge is scheduled to decide on September 1 whether to formally process Hernández for fraud and money laundering or dismiss the case. (disputed by 2 sources) - Juan Orlando Hernández returned to Honduras on 26 July, arriving at Palmerola International Airport. (corroborated by 15 sources) - A Honduran arrest warrant for Hernández was suspended in June, so he was not detained upon arrival. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Former President Juan Orlando Hernández was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump, nullifying a 45‑year prison sentence for drug‑trafficking convictions. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Human‑rights activists warn the upcoming trial may be a sham lacking genuine accountability. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Upon his return, Hernández thanked Trump and claimed he was a victim of a “witch hunt.” (corroborated by 14 sources) - Juan Orlando Hernández is accused of diverting roughly US$2 million in public funds to finance his 2010‑2013 presidential campaign. (corroborated by 13 sources) - U.S. prosecutors said Hernández helped transport hundreds of tons of cocaine from Colombia to the United States as part of a cartel network. (corroborated by 11 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: Honduras legal updates: Appeals filed in Hernández corruption and military cases Legal battles continue in Honduras as authorities appeal the dismissal of corruption charges against Juan Orlando Hernández and the judicial process against former military chief Roosevelt Hernández proceeds. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/honduras-appeals-dismissal-in-juan-orlando-hernndez-corruption-case ### 2026-09-02: Honduras courts dismiss fraud charges against Juan Orlando Hernández Honduran courts have dismissed fraud and money laundering charges against former President Juan Orlando Hernández and revoked conspiracy charges against three individuals accused of plotting against Manuel Zel야 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-cleared-of-fraud-and-money-laundering-charges ### 2026-08-31: Juan Orlando Hernández cleared of fraud and money laundering charges in Honduras A Honduran judge dismissed fraud and money laundering charges against former president Juan Orlando Hernández, citing insufficient evidence of his involvement in the Pandora II case. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-returns-to-gracias-amid-pending-fraud-charges ### 2026-08-10: Juan Orlando Hernández faces Honduran court in Pandora II case Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández appeared in court for the Pandora II case, facing fraud and money laundering charges while alleging political persecution. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-faces-honduran-court-in-pandora-ii-case ### 2026-08-04: Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández Granted Conditional Release as Fraud Trial Proceeds Honduran judge frees ex‑president Juan Orlando Hernández under strict conditions as his Pandora II fraud and money‑laundering trial, scheduled for Aug 12, proceeds. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-granted-conditional-release-in-honduras-pandora-ii-case ### 2026-07-31: Juan Orlando Hernández appears in Honduran court after US pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, pardoned by Trump, returned to Honduras, appeared before the Supreme Court, was kept free with travel restrictions, and faces a fraud‑laundering trial; prosecutors seek detention, while 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-honduran-president-juan-orlando-hernndezs-hearing-delayed ### 2026-07-30: Juan Orlando Hernández claims political persecution after judge withdraws from case Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández alleges political persecution after the judge handling his fraud case withdrew, prompting his defense to seek to keep the case in the Supreme Court. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-claims-political-persecution-after-judge-withdraws-from-case ### 2026-07-26: Juan Orlando Hernández returns to Honduras after Trump pardon, faces fraud trial Juan Orlando Hernández, pardoned by Donald Trump, returned to Honduras on 26 July and will face fraud and money‑laundering charges on 3 August, amid doubts over judicial independence. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-returns-to-honduras-after-trump-pardon ### 2026-07-21: Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández Released after US Pardon Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted of drug trafficking, was pardoned by U.S. President Trump in 2025 and released. Honduras suspended his arrest warrant in June 2026 as he faces fraud‑l 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-honduran-president-juan-orlando-hernndez-released-after-us-pardon ### 2026-07-13: Juan Orlando Hernández returns to Honduras, igniting political debate Juan Orlando Hernández returns to Honduras; advisers say he cannot run again but may boost Libre’s opposition narrative, while he faces a Pandora fraud trial. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-returns-to-honduras-igniting-political-debate ### 2026-07-05: Juan Orlando Hernández to Return to Honduras on July 26 Juan Orlando Hernández will return to Honduras on July 26 and face a fraud and money‑laundering hearing on Aug 3 over the “Pandora II” case. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juan-orlando-hernndez-to-return-to-honduras-on-july-26 ### 2026-06-23: Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández Sentenced to 45 Years in U.S. Drug Trafficking Case Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was convicted in New York and sentenced to 45 years in prison for drug trafficking, based on testimony from four cooperating witnesses. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-honduran-president-juan-orlando-hernndez-sentenced-to-45-years-in-us-drug-trafficking-case ### 2026-06-16: US Courts Hand Down Prison Terms to Major Cocaine Traffickers from Honduras and Mexico U.S. courts sentenced Honduran drug smuggler Raduan Zamora to 17 years and Mexican trafficker Jesús Rauda‑Ávila to 14 years for moving thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-courts-hand-down-prison-terms-to-major-cocaine-traffickers-from-honduras-and-mexico --- Cite as: Juan Orlando Hernández cleared of Pandora II charges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-prosecution-of-honduran-drug-traffickers