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Juan Orlando Hernández Drug Trafficking Case

Recipient
Juan Orlando Hernández
Pardon Date
Granted By
President Donald Trump
Original Offense
Cocaine importation conspiracy, weapons offenses during drug trafficking
drug traffickingforeign leaderfederalRoger Stone lobbyingBGR Group

Case Timeline

Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Begins (2004)

According to federal prosecutors, Juan Orlando Hernández began participating in a massive cocaine trafficking conspiracy as early as 2004, using his rising political power in Honduras to facilitate drug shipments to the United States.

Rise to Political Power (2010-2014)

Hernández served as President of the National Congress of Honduras from 2010 to 2014, consolidating political power while allegedly protecting drug trafficking operations.

$1 Million Bribe from El Chapo (Circa 2013)

Federal prosecutors alleged Hernández received a $1 million bribe from Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the notorious Sinaloa Cartel boss, in exchange for protection.

First Presidential Term (2014-2018)

Hernández became the 38th President of Honduras on January 27, 2014. During his presidency, he publicly positioned himself as a U.S. ally in fighting drug trafficking while allegedly continuing to facilitate cocaine shipments.

Senator Marco Rubio Support (April 2018)

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted thanks to Hernández for “directing at the drug traffickers,” accompanied by a photo of the two men together. From his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio advocated for weapons shipments to Hernández during the period when Hernández was allegedly operating the trafficking conspiracy.

BGR Group $660,000 Lobbying Contract (January 2020)

On January 7, 2020, President Hernández signed a $660,000 contract with BGR Group (Barbour, Griffith & Rogers), a Washington D.C. lobbying firm.

Contract Details:

  • Duration: January 7, 2020 - December 17, 2020
  • Purpose: “To support and advance the interests of the people and government of Honduras”
  • Timing: Signed shortly after Hernández’s brother Tony was sentenced to life in prison for cocaine smuggling

BGR Group’s Marco Rubio Connections:

  • BGR hosted campaign fundraisers for Rubio
  • BGR contributed $34,000 directly to Rubio’s campaigns
  • BGR organized fundraising events for Rubio’s Senate campaigns (2010, 2016) and presidential campaign
  • After taking Honduras as client, BGR reached out to 11 Congressional staffers, three of whom worked for Rubio
Click to view BGR Group Honduras FARA filing

Presidential Term Ends (January 2022)

Hernández’s second presidential term ended on January 27, 2022.

Extradition to United States (April 2022)

Hernández was extradited to the United States in April 2022 to face federal charges in the Southern District of New York.

Federal Indictment

Hernández was charged with:

  1. Cocaine Importation Conspiracy - Conspiring to import cocaine into the United States
  2. Weapons Offenses - Using and carrying machine guns and destructive devices during drug trafficking

Trial (February-March 2024)

  • Trial Start: February 21, 2024
  • Trial End: March 8, 2024 (three-week jury trial)

Prosecutors presented evidence that Hernández:

  • Facilitated importation of more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States
  • Accepted millions of dollars in bribes from drug traffickers
  • Received $1 million from El Chapo
  • Used Honduran security forces to facilitate trafficking
  • Selectively extradited rival traffickers while protecting cartel allies

Conviction (March 8, 2024)

A federal jury found Hernández guilty on all counts.

Sentencing (June 26, 2024)

On the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Hernández was sentenced:

  • 45 years in federal prison (540 months)
  • $8 million fine
  • 5 years supervised release

Roger Stone Lobbying (June-November 2025)

Roger Stone, longtime Trump ally, actively lobbied for Hernández’s pardon:

  • Called on Trump in June 2025 to pardon Hernández
  • On November 28, 2025, sent Trump a four-page letter from Hernández begging for clemency
  • Claimed Trump announced the pardon “three hours after” receiving the letter

Pardon Announcement (November 28, 2025)

President Trump announced on social media that he would issue a “full and complete pardon” to Hernández.

Formal Pardon (December 1, 2025)

Trump formally granted the pardon, and Hernández was released from federal prison the same day.

Trump claimed, without evidence, that the prosecution was a “setup” by the Biden administration, stating: “If somebody sells drugs in that country, that doesn’t mean you arrest the president and put him in jail for the rest of his life.”

Honduras Issues Arrest Warrant (December 9, 2025)

Honduras Attorney General Johel Zelaya issued an international arrest warrant for Hernández, citing charges of money laundering and fraud connected to his first presidential campaign.

Background

Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado (born October 28, 1968) rose from humble beginnings in Gracias, Lempira, a poor rural region of western Honduras. He earned a law degree from the National Autonomous University of Honduras and built a political career spanning decades.

As president, Hernández publicly presented himself as a strong U.S. ally fighting drug trafficking, even as federal prosecutors allege he was at the center of one of the largest and most violent cocaine trafficking operations in history.

  • Roger Stone - Trump ally who lobbied for pardon, sent clemency letter
  • Tony Hernández - Brother of JOH, sentenced to life in prison for drug trafficking
  • Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán - Sinaloa Cartel boss who allegedly paid $1M bribe
  • Senator Marco Rubio - Publicly supported Hernández; received BGR Group donations

BGR Group Lobbying Connection

BGR Group, the firm hired by Honduras for $660,000, has extensive Republican connections:

Political Contributions to Marco Rubio:

  • Direct contributions: $34,000
  • Fundraisers for 2010, 2016 Senate campaigns
  • Fundraising for 2016 presidential campaign

Trump Administration Ties:

  • Former BGR partner Sean Duffy became Trump’s Transportation Secretary
  • BGR Managing Director David Urban was senior advisor to Trump’s 2016 campaign

Other Controversial Clients:

  • Azerbaijan (also connected to Henry Cuellar bribery case)
  • Bahrain
  • Saudi Arabia (dropped after Khashoggi killing)
Click to view BGR Group OpenSecrets profile

Congressional Response

Following the pardon, resolutions condemning it were introduced in both chambers:

  • H.Res. 929 (House)
  • S.Res. 530 (Senate)

Analysis

This pardon is notable for several reasons:

  1. Scale of drug trafficking - Hernández facilitated 400+ tons of cocaine into the U.S., one of the largest trafficking operations ever prosecuted

  2. Roger Stone’s direct role - Stone claims the pardon came “three hours” after he delivered Hernández’s clemency letter to Trump

  3. BGR Group lobbying - Honduras paid $660,000 to a firm with extensive ties to both Marco Rubio and the Trump administration

  4. Foreign policy implications - Trump announced the pardon while endorsing a candidate in Honduras’s presidential election

  5. Bribe from El Chapo - Hernández received $1 million from one of the world’s most notorious drug lords

Sources