Podcast Summary
PBD Podcast Ep. 702: “There Is A Hit On Me” - Ex-Honduran President Pardoned By Trump TELLS ALL
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Patrick Bet-David (PBD)
Guest: Juan Orlando Hernández (Former President of Honduras, recently pardoned by Trump)
Main Theme / Purpose of the Episode
This episode features a wide-ranging, explosive interview with Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who was recently pardoned by former President Trump after being convicted and extradited to the U.S. on narco-trafficking charges. Hernández recounts his side of the story, disputes the evidence against him, describes the political and legal maneuverings that led to his downfall, and frames his prosecution as part of a broader leftist strategy against conservative leaders across Latin America. The conversation delves deep into corruption, U.S.–Honduras relations, cartel violence, lawfare, internal Honduran politics, and Hernández’s time in prison with high-profile inmates.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Allegations and Hernández’s Motivation to Speak Out
- Accusations: Alleged to have facilitated cocaine trafficking into the US, accepted bribes from El Chapo, and used cartel money for his political campaigns ([00:00], [01:51]).
- Hernández’s Motivation: Asserts innocence, claims he was targeted and that his case is one of political persecution. Keen on “telling the world the truth.”
- Quote: “Tell the world that I am an innocent man. Sooner or later you will find out.” – Juan Orlando Hernández ([04:20])
2. Historical Context – The Cartel Wars & Institutional Reform
- Context: Honduras as a key drug corridor from Colombia to the U.S.; 80% of national violence tied to trafficking ([04:40]).
- Institutional Reforms: Hernández led Congressional changes for extradition, anti-money laundering, seized criminal assets. Claims these actions put his life and his family’s safety at risk ([06:30], [08:00]).
- Quote: “What I did was what nobody wanted to do. So we amended our constitution to allow the extradition.” – Hernández ([06:55])
- U.S. Pressure: Account of U.S. (Democratic administration) objecting to shoot-down policy for drug flights ([09:39]); details strategic conversations with US General John Kelly ([10:29]).
3. The Power Struggle – U.S. Politics and Shifting Alliances
- U.S. Relationship: Hernández claims he cultivated close working relationships with Obama, Biden, and Trump administrations—until the Biden administration turned against him ([15:01], [40:45]).
- Political Fallout: Asserts that his militarized anti-cartel tactics and tough approach conflicted with U.S. Democrats’ ideological preferences ([16:24]).
- Quote: “My policies didn't always match the desires of the Democratic administration...using military to fight violence.” – Hernández ([16:24])
- Extradition Irony: Points out he was the architect of the Honduran extradition law—then ultimately extradited himself ([14:57]).
4. Exposing the Honduran Left – Allegations of Political Collusion with Narcos
- Hernández accuses his political rivals, especially the Libre party and President Xiomara Castro, of drug cartel links, citing media and leaked videos involving Castro’s brother-in-law ([25:40], [27:38]).
- Claims the U.S. worked with the radical Honduran left to get rid of him, promising support if they indicted Hernández ([21:39], [23:14]).
- Quote: “We were called from the U.S. embassy. ...they were going to get rid of Juan Orlando. And we agreed not to go to China... That’s the reason Kamala Harris went to the inauguration of the lady president.” – Hernández ([21:39])
5. The Trial, Family Suffering, and “Lawfare”
- Trial Details: Maintains trial evidence was insufficient, claims witnesses were offered deals for implicating him ([27:46], [73:28]).
- Family: Laments that the Biden administration stripped his family’s visas, barring them from attending the trial ([53:07]).
- Quote: “My family couldn’t come. When I see other trials from the really bad narcos, their family is right there. ...That’s cruel and inhumane.” – Hernández ([54:07])
- On Political Weaponization: Describes prosecution as “lawfare” and connects to patterns of political persecution globally against conservative leaders ([69:59]).
6. The U.S. Double Standard, Cartel Testimonies, and Corruption
- Outrage over Cartel Deals: Details how main trial witnesses confessed to dozens of murders (e.g., Alexander Ardon) but received minimal sentences in exchange for implicating Hernández ([73:14]).
- Quote: “One of the guys who testified against me, he told the judge that he was responsible for 57 deaths and he wasn't even six years in jail.” – Hernández ([73:03])
7. Imprisonment – High-profile Cellmates and Threats
- Prison Experience: Held at Hazelton alongside notorious inmates; alleges placement was a setup for his assassination ([76:17]).
- Quote: “The only explanation I have is because they wanted to get rid of me.” – Hernández ([76:16])
- Notable Encounters: Describes befriending Sam Bankman-Fried, interactions with Diddy, and Tekashi 6ix9ine ([78:14], [79:02]).
- Quote: “With Sam, we developed a close relationship... we were talking about my case... He said, ‘This is clearly a setup.’” – Hernández ([80:39])
8. Policy Legacy, Reform, and the “Bukele Playbook”
- Institutional Impact: Argues that his “playbook” of extradition, police/military reform, and tough policies provided a model for El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele ([66:23], [69:15]).
- Policing: Fired 60% of Honduras’ police force to break cartel corruption ([46:52]).
- Cultural Stances: Notes pushback from U.S. Democrats over Honduras’ constitutional ban on gay adoption and progressive policies ([65:09]).
9. On Going Home and Future Aspirations
- Personal Safety: Says there are active threats to his life, claims current leftist government creates fake crises using his name ([49:04], [90:41]).
- Quote: “Now, if I go back to my country, there is a hit on me.” – Hernández ([46:58])
- No Political Ambition: Wishes to rebuild his family life, clear his name, but is not interested in political office again ([87:16]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On why he risked all for reforms:
“If there is a mess, then we became the country with the highest murder rate in the planet. ...I cannot look the other way.” ([04:40])
- On the U.S. attitude shift:
“How is that hypocrisy? ...We extradited 30 kingpins from Honduras. But later on, they used that extradition treaty to extradite me.” ([14:57])
- On cartel informants testifying for lighter sentences:
“He told the judge he was responsible for 57 deaths... and wasn’t even six years in jail.” ([73:03])
- On prison with Sam Bankman-Fried:
“He was a very quiet guy, but he had new ideas ...he said, ‘This is clearly a setup.’” ([80:39])
- On U.S. “lawfare” and the conservative playbook:
“This is part of the playbook of the radical left in the planet... They were trying to go after President Bukele too. It’s clear as this water.” ([69:59], [70:52])
- On family suffering and official cruelty:
“That’s not... That’s cruel and inhumane.” ([54:07])
Major Segment Timestamps
- Allegations, Political Backstory: [00:00] – [07:30]
- Institutional reforms, extradition law: [07:30] – [14:30]
- US-Honduras deep state, shifting US policy: [15:01] – [23:15]
- Honduras leftist politics, Libre party cartel links: [23:13] – [30:41]
- Trial, evidence, family visa revocation: [27:25], [53:07]
- On Bukele, ‘authoritarian’ reforms, regional playbook: [65:09] – [70:52]
- Cartel plea deals, U.S. hypocrisy: [73:03]
- Prison threats, notable inmates, life inside: [76:00] – [81:54]
- Personal reflections, public defense, next steps: [87:16] – [112:15]
- Final words to audience, thanks to supporters: [112:15] – [118:19]
Tone & Atmosphere
- The episode’s tone is candid, tense, and at times emotional—with Hernández expressing concern for his safety, injustice for his family, and righteous indignation at both Honduran and U.S. political machinations.
- PBD’s interviewing style is sharp, forensic, and direct, pressing on both the controversies around Hernández and the failings of U.S. drug policy/political hypocrisy.
Conclusion
This lengthy and revealing interview provides an unprecedented window into the world of Central American power politics, cartel wars, and the complexities of U.S. foreign relations. Hernández presents as a man both defending his legacy and warning of an international playbook that threatens conservative governments. The episode is as much about regional geopolitics as it is a personal story of rise, fall, and the fight to clear one’s name.
Supporting Materials
- PowerPoint Presentation: Referenced by Hernández as containing much of the data and evidence supporting his claims—available via PBD’s channels ([118:23]).