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The Conviction of Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez
Former Honduran president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, has been convicted on Friday in New York of charges related to drug trafficking. The trial, which lasted two weeks, has been closely followed in Honduras, his home country.
Accusations and Verdict
Hernández, 55, served two terms as the leader of the Central American nation of roughly 10 million people. He was arrested at his home in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, three months after leaving office in 2022 and was subsequently extradited to the United States in April of that year.
US prosecutors accused Hernández of conspiring with drug traffickers for many years, alleging that he played a crucial role in enabling tons of cocaine to make its way into the United States. The jury at the federal court returned a guilty verdict.
Hernández’s Denial and Political Involvement
In his trial testimony, Hernández admitted that drug money had been paid to various political parties in Honduras, but he strongly denied accepting any bribes himself. He highlighted his visits to the White House and his meetings with US presidents, emphasizing his role as a collaborator in the war on drugs and his efforts to reduce drug trafficking into the US.
The Drug Traffickers
Trial witnesses, including drug traffickers, testified that Hernandez was actively involved in protecting powerful cocaine dealers, including the notorious Mexican drug lord, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Guzmán, now serving a life prison term in the US, considered Hernandez as an enthusiastic supporter and protector of drug traffickers.
The Trial and Defense Argument
Throughout the trial, Hernandez appeared composed, wearing a suit and answering questions through an interpreter. Despite the witnesses’ testimonies, he consistently denied ever paying bribes or promising to shield traffickers from extradition to the US.
His defense attorney Renato Stabile strongly advocated for an acquittal, asserting that Hernandez had been wrongfully charged.
The Brother’s Conviction
Hernández’s brother, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernández, a former Honduran congressman, was previously sentenced to life in 2021 in Manhattan federal court in his own drug trafficking case.
