Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has secured the definitive dismissal of money laundering and fraud charges related to the Pandora II corruption case, according to a ruling issued by a guarantee judge in Honduras. The court ordered the termination of the proceedings, the final release of the former head of state, and the revocation of all previously imposed precautionary measures.
Court Dismisses Pandora II Charges Due to Lack of Fund Traceability
Furthermore, the judge ruled that the 11 agreements examined during the proceedings were not adopted by the legislative branch. Hernández’s defense presented 31 documentary pieces of evidence and one witness, arguing successfully that the contested decisions occurred while Hernández led the National Congress rather than the executive branch. The public ministry countered with 16 documents, one witness, and three expert reports. The ruling remains subject to appeal before the Court of Appeal.
US Conviction Overturned Following Presidential Pardon
The domestic legal development follows major legal relief in the United States. Speaking from an undisclosed US city during a virtual press conference alongside his wife, Ana García, Hernández described the decision as a complete wipe and total justice. García stated from Tegucigalpa that the appeals court ordered US District Judge Kevin Castel to eliminate the punishment entirely.
Extradition History and Political Fallout
Extradited to the United States in April 2022 under the administration of Honduran President Xiomara Castro, Hernández faced accusations of collaborating with major cartels, including Joaquín ‘el Chapo’ Guzmán, to traffic hundreds of tons of drugs into the US. During his U.S. trial, prosecutors relied on testimony from extradited drug traffickers who claimed Hernández shielded shipments. Hernández consistently denied those allegations, maintaining that his prosecution was a political vengeance led by adversaries. Following the reversal of his U.S. conviction, Hernández announced plans to return to Honduras with his head held high and called on local judicial authorities to lift any active arrest warrants against him.
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