Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has returned to his home country following a pardon granted by former US President Donald Trump last year. Hernandez arrived near the capital, Tegucigalpa, on Sunday via private plane and later appeared at a rally in the town of Comayagua, where he addressed a crowd of supporters.

During his speech, Hernandez expressed gratitude to Trump for the pardon, citing the former president’s assertion that Hernandez was the victim of a "witch hunt" and a politically motivated use of the justice system. Hernandez denied the charges against him and accused his opponents of ongoing persecution.

Hernandez faces fraud and money laundering allegations in Honduras, including accusations that he diverted approximately US$2 million in public funds to finance his first presidential campaign. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 3. A judge suspended an arrest warrant after Hernandez agreed to present himself voluntarily.

Hernandez served as president of Honduras from 2014 until 2022. Shortly after leaving office, he was extradited to the United States by his successor, Xiomara Castro, a left-leaning leader, to face drug trafficking charges. In 2024, a US court found Hernandez guilty of facilitating the smuggling of hundreds of tonnes of cocaine into the United States in collaboration with cartel figures, including Mexico’s Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

Just days before Honduras' presidential election last year, Trump issued a surprise pardon to Hernandez. The move was accompanied by threats from Trump to withhold US aid unless Nasry Asfura, a conservative ally of Hernandez, won the presidency. Asfura ultimately prevailed in the election, which prompted accusations from Castro and her allies of foreign interference.

The pardon sparked controversy both in Honduras and the United States. Critics pointed to perceived hypocrisy from Trump, who had recently intensified military efforts against drug trafficking in Latin America. Trump claimed, without presenting evidence, that Hernandez had been "set up" by the administration of his successor, Joe Biden.

Though Hernandez has declared he currently has no plans to return to politics, he suggested during his recent speech that he might reconsider should "radicalism" — a reference to the current left-wing government — gain traction in Honduras.

Hernandez’s presidency was marked by significant controversy. His 2017 re-election prompted unrest after a Supreme Court decision allowed him to secure consecutive terms despite constitutional prohibitions. Subsequent protests against alleged electoral irregularities led to a government crackdown, resulting in the deaths of about 30 people.