Kathmandu— A court in Honduras has dropped the case against ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was accused of fraud and money laundering as part of a government corruption scheme. The decision comes after Hernandez received a pardon from former U.S. President Donald Trump for his drug-trafficking conviction. Hernandez served as president from 2014 to 2022 and had been extradited to the United States in April 2022, where he was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Background of Corruption Allegations

Hernandez faced accusations of fraud and money laundering as part of a corruption scheme from 2010 to 2013, before his presidency. Prosecutors alleged that top officials, including Hernandez, diverted roughly $10.8 million in state funds between 2010 and 2013, with Hernandez allegedly receiving about $2.3 million of those funds.

Trump's Pardon and Political Impact

Former U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Hernandez days before the Honduran general elections in November 2025, threatening to withhold aid from Honduras if he was not pardoned. This move raised concerns about political interference and the integrity of the legal process in Honduras.

Court's Decision

The court maintained that the evidence did not establish Hernandez’s participation in the investigated events, leading to the dismissal of charges against him. Other politicians involved in the Pandora scandal have also seen their charges dropped, including former President Porfirio Lobo and ex-Finance Minister Wilfredo Cerrato.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.