1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. This action would be a grave mistake and send a dangerous message about the United States' stance on corruption and drug trafficking. Hernandez was convicted in March 2024 on serious charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. After a fair trial, he received a 45-year prison sentence, which reflects the severity of his crimes. These actions occurred while he held the highest office in Honduras, making them even more egregious. The suggestion that Hernandez was "treated very harshly and unfairly" is unfounded. Our justice system carefully weighed the evidence and found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Pardoning a foreign leader convicted of drug trafficking would severely undermine our credibility in the global fight against narcotics and organized crime. Furthermore, this pardon proposal appears to be tied to influencing Honduras' upcoming election, with threats to withhold financial support if a particular candidate doesn't win. This approach is not only unethical but also contradicts our nation's principles of supporting democratic processes abroad. I urge you to publicly oppose this pardon and any attempts to interfere in Honduras' electoral process. Instead, we should reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law, both domestically and internationally. Supporting anti-corruption efforts and stable democracies in Central America is crucial for regional security and helps address root causes of migration to the United States. The consequences of pardoning Hernandez would be far-reaching. It would damage our relationships with law enforcement agencies that worked tirelessly on this case, demoralize those fighting corruption in Honduras, and embolden other criminal elements in the region. Please take immediate action to voice opposition to this pardon and support policies that strengthen, not undermine, our fight against international drug trafficking and corruption. The integrity of our justice system and our standing in the international community depend on it.