New York – Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, a former U.S. ally, has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison and an $8 million fine by a U.S. judge. This sentencing comes after Hernández was convicted in March on federal drug and weapons charges, revealing his involvement in a vast drug trafficking operation that sent tons of cocaine from South America to the United States.
During his two terms as president from 2014 to 2022, Hernández allegedly profited from millions of dollars in bribes from drug traffickers in Honduras and Mexico while aiding in the transportation of over 400 tons of cocaine to the U.S. Furthermore, he was accused of providing protection to traffickers from extradition and prosecution, all while presenting himself as an anti-narcotics advocate.
U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel emphasized the enormity of Hernández’s role in the trafficking conspiracy, highlighting that the 400 tons of cocaine were valued at over $10 billion on the street. Additionally, participants who cooperated against Hernández admitted to over 130 murders, shedding light on the extent of violence and corruption within the operation.
Prosecutors had initially sought a harsher sentence of life in prison plus 30 years for Hernández, describing his actions as an abuse of power that flooded the United States with immense amounts of drugs. The case also implicated Hernández’s brother, Tony, who was convicted of drug trafficking charges in 2019 and received a life sentence, with Hernández himself being named an unindicted co-conspirator in that case.
Despite denying any wrongdoing and attributing the accusations to false testimonies from jailed drug dealers seeking reduced sentences, Hernández was adamant about his innocence during his sentencing. His defense team sought a 40-year sentence as the mandatory minimum, presenting a contrasting narrative of Hernández as a figure who fought against drug trafficking in Honduras.
The prosecution and subsequent sentencing of Juan Orlando Hernández have raised questions about the U.S. government’s approach to working with foreign leaders amidst criminal allegations. The case has sparked discussions on Washington’s handling of such matters and the potential implications for diplomatic relations moving forward, ultimately underscoring the complexities of international partnerships in combating transnational crimes like drug trafficking.