The Supreme Court of Honduras has issued a fresh international arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernández, pardoned last week from a 45-year prison sentence by President Donald Trump. 

Attorney general Johel Antonio Zelaya of Honduras posted the warrant on X on Monday. The document was dated November 28, the same day Mr Trump declared his intention to pardon Mr Hernández, whom he claimed was witch-hunted by the Joe Biden administration. The official pardon was issued on December 3.

Mr Zelaya sought Interpol’s assistance “to execute the international arrest warrant against former President Juan Orlando Hernández.”

Mr Hernández was facing corruption charges in Honduras, where prosecutors claimed he received millions of dollars in drug-trafficking  kickbacks, which he used to finance his presidential campaign in 2013.

Also at issue are allegations that he was involved in a $12 million money-laundering scheme that diverted state funds for his personal gain and political use.

Mr Hernandez was extradited to the U.S. in 2022 over drug charges when American prosecutors said he abused his presidency to allow the transportation of at least 400 tonnes of cocaine through Honduras to the U.S.

His trial concluded in June 2024 with a 45-year sentence to be served in a U.S. prison. That was his fate until Mr Trump pardoned him on December 3.

Mr Hernández’s wife said he would not return to Honduras but would remain in the U.S. 

Mr Zelaya anticipated the move, stating that Honduras will pursue his extradition if he refuses to return, and has engaged Interpol to enforce the arrest warrant.

Reacting to the move, Mr Hernandez’s lawyer, Renato Stabile, told CNN that the warrant was a ploy by the ruling Libre Party,the opposition party to Mr Hernández’s National Party, to target him.

“This is obviously a strictly political move on behalf of the defeated radical left Libre party, as they are being forced out of power by the people of Honduras. It is shameful and desperate piece of political theatre, and these charges are completely baseless,” Mr Stabile said.