Mario Nawfal revealed that SBF had assisted the former President of Honduras with trial preparation, who has since been pardoned by Donald Trump.

**December 4th** Mario Nawfal, founder and CEO of Dubai-based venture capital firm IBC Group, said in a social media post that during a conversation with SBF (about FTX’s bankruptcy—an interview is coming soon), SBF revealed an unexpected detail: his former cellblock mate, ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, was just pardoned by Trump. Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in a U.S. prison last June on charges of drug trafficking and illegal gun possession. SBF noted he shared a cell block with Hernández for 18 months, calling them friends and stating, “No inmate is more deserving of a pardon—he was framed.” SBF spent significant time helping Hernández prepare for trial and review evidence, adding: “He’s not a drug lord—he may be the world’s most effective leader against drug cartels. Juan Orlando is the most innocent prisoner I’ve ever met, including myself.” The pardon landed days before Honduras’ November 30 election, with Trump endorsing Nasry Asfura, the National Party candidate aligned with Hernández.