Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez has been found guilty of trafficking hundreds of tonnes of cocaine into the United States. The 55-year-old Hernandez appeared shocked as the jury delivered guilty verdicts for three counts: conspiracy to import cocaine, illegally using and carrying machine guns, and possessing machine guns as part of a “cocaine-importation conspiracy.” The jury reached its unanimous decision on the second day of deliberations. Hernandez now faces a possible life sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26.
During his presidency from 2014 to 2022, Hernandez is accused of turning Honduras into a “narco-state” and working with notorious drug cartels. Federal prosecutors in the US claim that Hernandez facilitated the smuggling of 500 tonnes of cocaine into the country, mainly from Colombia and Venezuela, starting in 2004. Prosecutors alleged that Hernandez collaborated with the Sinaloa drug cartel, formerly led by Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. They described him as having “paved a cocaine superhighway to the United States.”
In addition to enriching himself through drug trafficking, Hernandez used the illicit funds to finance his political campaign and commit electoral fraud in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections, according to prosecutors. After leaving office, he was extradited to the US in April 2022 and charged with aiding drug smugglers, protecting them from extradition, and providing military and police protection for drug shipments in exchange for bribes.
Hernandez has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that he fought against drug cartels and was an ally of the US in the war on drugs. However, Assistant US Attorney Jacob Gutwillig argued that Hernandez led a double life, presenting himself as tough on drug trafficking while secretly engaging in drug dealing. Testimonies from former traffickers, who received reduced sentences in exchange for their cooperation, have been particularly damaging to Hernandez. They claimed to have contributed thousands of dollars to his first presidential campaign in exchange for his protection.
The guilty verdict has been celebrated by human rights activists and Hondurans who have long called for justice. Outside the New York courthouse, Lida Perdomo, a prominent human rights activist, expressed hope that Hernandez would be sentenced to at least three life sentences to pay for the damage he caused to the country. Sentencing is set for June 26.
The case against Hernandez highlights the deep-rooted issues of poverty, crime, and corruption in Honduras. Despite receiving millions of dollars in US anti-narcotics assistance during his presidency, the country still struggles with significant social and economic challenges.