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Ex-president Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez (2014-2022) was announced today guilty of three counts of drug and weapons trafficking by a New York jury after a trial that lasted
Ex-president Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez (2014-2022) was announced today guilty of three counts of drug and weapons trafficking by a New York jury after a trial that lasted just over two weeks.
Thus, Hernandez, who is now awaiting sentencing by Judge Kevin Castel, will become Senior Latin American Leader Convicted of Drug Trafficking in Panamanian Manuel Antonio Noriega Casesentenced in 1992 by a Florida court to 40 years in prison for connections to the Medellin cartel.
The Honduran listened stoically to the verdict, making no gestures, but as he rose from his chair and left the room, he turned to the audience, looked at his two daughters-in-law – his wife was not traveling because the US had denied her a visa – and told them: “I’m innocent. I love you very much, tell the world.”
He charge of “conspiracy to import cocaine” provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 10 years to life imprisonment; one of “use and carry machine guns and other destructive devices” introduction of drugs – punishable by 30 years to life imprisonment; and what of “conspiracy to use and carry machine guns” Drug importation also carries a maximum life sentence.
Thus, Judge Kevin Castel upheld three charges brought against him by prosecutors on behalf of the United States government, which has repeatedly stated that Hernandez “participated in a corrupt and brutal drug trafficking conspiracy to facilitate the importation of hundreds of thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States.”
Prosecutors argued that Hernandez’s drug trafficking activities were limited not to two presidential terms, but his entire political career since at least 2004a time when he used his social position “as well as the police and the army” to support drug trafficking organizations in Honduras, Mexico and other countries.
Although no compelling evidence (in the form of video, audio or intercepted communications) was presented during the trial to incriminate Hernandez, 55, The jury was convinced by the testimony of known drug dealers who testified against him after pleading guilty in a US court, allegedly seeking prison benefits.
In his testimony at the trial, Hernandez admitted that the drug trade brings money to almost all political parties in Honduras, but he himself denied taking bribes, the agency reported. AP.
Moreover, he said that one day The FBI warned him that a drug cartel was out to kill him. He later claimed that his accusers made up their statements about him in an attempt to gain freedom to commit their crimes.
They all have the motivation to lie and are professional liars.
However, the prosecution ridiculed Hernandez for apparently claiming to be the only honest politician in Honduras, according to AP.
During closing arguments Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Gutwillig told jurors that the corrupt Hernandez “created a cocaine superhighway into the United States.”
Lawyer Renato Stabile said his client was “wrongfully accused” and called for his acquittal.
Between court witnesses they were found human traffickers who admitted responsibility for dozens of murders and they said Hernandez was an enthusiast defender of some of the most powerful cocaine traffickers in the worldincluding a famous Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmanserving a life sentence in the United States.
Hernandez, wearing a suit throughout the trial, showed little emotion as he testified through an interpreter, repeatedly answering “no, sir” when asked if he had ever been paid bribes or promised to protect traffickers from extradition to the United States.
Fifty Hondurans outside the court immediately began celebrating the verdict, which could have cost Hernandez multiple life sentences.
(according to information from EFE)
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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