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U.S. Court Overturns Drug Conviction of Former Honduran President Hernández

KVIA•Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 8:32 PM•CNN Newsource

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A U.S. appeals court has annulled the drug trafficking conviction of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who had previously been pardoned by Donald Trump in December 2022. The court's decision orders Judge Kevin Castel to dismiss the charges against Hernández, who governed Honduras from 2014 to 2022. Hernández's family celebrated the ruling, asserting that it officially declares him innocent under the law. This decision comes after Hernández was extradited to the U.S. in February 2022 and faced serious charges related to drug trafficking and arms possession. The U.S. Justice Department had previously described him as having built a violent drug empire alongside notorious traffickers, including his brother Tony Hernández, who is serving a life sentence for drug offenses.

Key Details: • The appeals court ruling was issued on a Wednesday, with the order to dismiss the case. • Hernández was pardoned by Donald Trump in December 2022, which influenced the court's decision. • He was extradited to the U.S. in February 2022 and had faced multiple serious charges. • The ruling was celebrated by Hernández's family, who claim it proves his innocence.

trump honduras drug-trafficking court-ruling juan-orlando-hernandez

People & Organizations

Donald TrumpJuan Orlando HernándezU.S. Justice DepartmentJuan Antonio Hernández Alvarado

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