International News: Honduran court drops corruption charges against former President Juan Orlando Hernández

By Zoila Palma:  A Honduran court has dismissed fraud and money laundering charges against former President Juan Orlando Hernández, nine months after he was released from a U.S. prison where he had been serving a lengthy sentence for drug trafficking.

Judiciary spokesperson Carlos Silva said Tuesday that the judge determined Hernández was not responsible for budgetary decisions linked to the alleged crimes and that prosecutors could not establish that misappropriated funds were used in his 2013 presidential campaign.

Hernández welcomed the ruling outside the courthouse, telling supporters that he had expected the outcome and describing the case as political persecution, Reuters report.

The former president appeared alongside his wife, Ana García, and criticized Honduran authorities over assets seized during the investigation. Prosecutors, however, retain the option of appealing the decision.

The ruling has drawn concern from anti-corruption organizations, which warned that the dismissal could further undermine public confidence in Honduras’ judicial system.

The case, known as Pandora II, involved allegations that Hernández and other high-profile officials diverted nearly $11 million in state funds between 2010 and 2013 to finance political campaigns. Charges have also been dropped against former President Porfirio Lobo and former Finance Minister Wilfredo Cerrato.

Hernández led Honduras from 2014 to 2022 before being extradited to the United States in 2022 on drug trafficking charges.

He was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison, but was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump late last year. U.S. prosecutors had accused Hernández of using his position to facilitate drug trafficking and allowing criminal organizations to operate with widespread impunity during his presidency.

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