Former Honduran president extradited to the US to face many drug-related crimes

Mr. Juan Orlando Hernandez is taken on an extradition plane in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on April 21 – Photo: REUTERS

According to AFP news agency, Hernandez boarded an extradition flight of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa to arrive in the United States on April 21. He will be officially arrested in New York City.

In the United States, Mr. Hernandez will be tried on a variety of charges from drug trafficking to weapons. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Mr. Hernandez was arrested in February 2022 at the request of the US side, shortly after leaving office. He led Honduras for two terms from February 27, 2014 to February 27, 2022. The 53-year-old politician was an important US partner under former President Barack Obama, Donald Trump, on migration and anti-drug campaigns.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan, New York, said Hernandez received millions of dollars from drug cartels at various locations, including from former Mexican Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” ” Guzman, and used that money to enrich himself and fund his political campaigns.

In return, Hernandez and other Honduran officials protected drug traffickers from investigation and arrest, gave them access to law enforcement and military information, and prevented them from being extradited to America.

“Mr. Hernandez abused his position as president of Honduras from 2014 to 2022 to run the country like a drug nation. Mr. Hernandez worked closely with other civil servants to sponsor cocaine shipments. to the United States,” said US Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Hernandez’s younger brother, former Honduran congressman Tony Hernandez, was also sentenced to life in prison in the US in March 2021. Former President Hernandez is also believed to be involved in the crimes of his brother.