Honduran Ex-President Sentenced to 45 Years in US Prison for Drug Trafficking
Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez has been sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined eight million dollars by a New York court for drug trafficking. Judge Kevin Castel pointed out Hernandez's role in aiding drug traffickers and smuggling 400 tons of cocaine to the US. Hernandez plans to appeal the conviction.
Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez has been sentenced to 45 years in prison by a New York court for trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.
Protesters outside the Manhattan courthouse accused Hernandez of turning Honduras into a 'narco-state' during his presidency from 2014 to 2022.
Judge Kevin Castel highlighted Hernandez's role in using political power to support drug traffickers in exchange for money, providing police and military assistance to enable the smuggling of 400 tons of cocaine.
The sentence included an eight million dollar fine.
Although less than the life imprisonment sought by prosecutors, the 55-year-old Hernandez may spend the rest of his life in prison.
Hernandez's lawyer, Renato Stabile, indicated plans to appeal.
Hernandez was extradited to the US in 2022 and follows other Latin American leaders convicted in the US, such as Panama's Manuel Noriega and Guatemala's Alfonso Portillo.
His legal troubles increased after his brother's life sentence for drug trafficking in 2021.
Hernandez was portrayed as an anti-drug champion but was extradited to the US on drug smuggling charges.