TRUMP PARDONS HONDURAN EX-PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ AFTER 45-YEAR SENTENCE

Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, returned to his home country on Sunday after receiving a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Hernández had been serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking before the pardon was granted in December. He arrived at Palmerola International Airport near the capital, Tegucigalpa, on a private plane and was greeted by family members and supporters of his National Party.

Trump stated that Hernández did not receive a fair trial and was set up by the Biden administration. Hernández had been extradited to the United States four years prior. At a rally in Comayagua attended by hundreds of supporters, Hernández thanked Trump for the pardon and quoted the president as saying a "tremendous injustice" had been committed. Hernández is accused of diverting $2 million in public funds to finance his first presidential campaign, charges he denies.

Hernández is due to appear in court in Honduras on 3 August to face fraud and money-laundering charges in his home country. An arrest warrant was suspended in June, meaning he was not detained upon arrival. Human rights organisations have expressed concern about the fairness of the domestic proceedings. Joaquín Mejía, a lawyer with the Reflection, Research and Communication Team, stated that the suspension of the warrant appeared to be "the first step" in a process that may not result in genuine justice.