Honduras Seeks Arrest of Ex-President Hernandez After U.S. Pardon

Honduras has issued an international arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was recently pardoned by former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to NPR, Attorney General Johel Zelaya announced the warrant, citing charges of money laundering and fraud linked to Hernandez's first presidential campaign and the Pandora Case, where public funds were allegedly diverted through NGOs to political campaigns.

Hernandez, who was convicted in the U.S. for drug trafficking and sentenced to 45 years, was released last week after Trump's pardon, which sparked controversy as Hernandez had previously been a key U.S. ally in the war on drugs.

Zelaya emphasized the need to combat corruption in Honduras, a message coinciding with International Anti-Corruption Day. Hernandez's lawyer dismissed the warrant as a political move by the governing Libre Party, aiming to intimidate Hernandez as they face electoral challenges.

The situation unfolds amidst ongoing political turmoil in Honduras, with uncertainty surrounding the next presidential election, as current President Xiomara Castro's party contends with the conservative National Party, which Hernandez was part of.

The political landscape remains tense as the country grapples with issues of governance and accountability in the wake of corruption allegations against former leaders.