Trump Pardons Hernandez, Seizes Maduro: The Letter That Made All The Difference

• Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was brought to a US federal court in Manhattan on drug trafficking and weapons charges after a commando operation.
• Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted of similar charges, was pardoned by Donald Trump, who cited political persecution.
• US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the pardon as "pure hypocrisy," noting Hernandez's conviction for facilitating 400 tonnes of cocaine.
• Both leaders were investigated by the same DEA team; Hernandez reportedly wrote a four-page clemency letter to Trump, influencing the pardon.
• Maduro faces charges of leading a drug network spanning multiple countries, while Hernandez was accused of turning Honduras into a "narco-state" and taking bribes.

Why It Matters: Trump's differing actions against Maduro and Hernandez reveal a controversial and inconsistent US drug policy.