A court in New York has sentenced former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández to 45 years in prison for trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States. The sentence, which also includes an $8 million fine, was less than the life imprisonment that prosecutors had sought. Hernández, who is 55 years old, may spend the rest of his life behind bars. Anti-Hernández protesters gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse ahead of the sentencing, expressing their disdain for the former leader’s crimes.
During his sentencing, Hernández maintained his innocence, claiming that he was wrongly and unjustly accused. He portrayed himself as a hero of the anti-drug trafficking movement, alleging that he worked with American authorities to reduce drug imports. However, the judge noted that trial evidence proved the opposite, showing that Hernández had used his nation’s police and military to protect the drug trade. Hernández’s legal team has indicated that they plan to appeal his conviction, despite the overwhelming evidence presented against him.
Hernández was convicted in March of facilitating the smuggling of some 500 tons of cocaine to the United States via Honduras since 2004, before and during his presidency. Prosecutors accused him of using drug money to enrich himself, finance his political campaign, and commit electoral fraud in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections. He was extradited to the United States in 2022 after being accused of aiding drug smugglers in exchange for bribes. Hernández is the latest former Latin American head of state to be convicted in the United States, following in the footsteps of figures like Panama’s Manuel Noriega and Guatemala’s Alfonso Portillo.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Hernández had close ties with the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. The cartel’s founder, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is currently serving a life sentence in the United States. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the importance of holding both Hernández, as a former national leader, and criminal organizations accountable for their involvement in drug trafficking. The case sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of their status or position of power.
The sentencing of Hernández in New York has sparked reactions from various parties, including demonstrators who gathered outside the Manhattan federal court to express their views on the case. The judge presiding over the trial emphasized that the sentence should serve as a warning to individuals who believe their status or education can protect them from facing consequences for illegal actions. While Hernández continues to maintain his innocence and plans to appeal his conviction, the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial paints a damning picture of his involvement in drug trafficking and corruption. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their crimes, regardless of their position or influence.
