New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- Honduras' former President Juan Orlando Hernandez thanked U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday for pardoning him in his first communication since being released from a U.S. prison.

Hernandez was one year into a 45-year prison sentence for helping drug traffickers move hundreds of tons of cocaine to the U.S. in exchange for bribes that fueled his political rise.

Trump shocked Hondurans last Friday by announcing his intention to pardon Hernandez two days before the country's national elections, arguing that that the former leader had been the victim of an unjust and politically-motivated prosecution.

"I said it as I left my home, I said it as I was wrongfully convicted, and I will say it again now that I have my lib...