The brother of the President of Honduras has been convicted by a New York court of large-scale drug trafficking. The trial of Juan Antonio Hernández, known as "Tony," was also controversial because the indictment accused the Central American government of having covered the illegal business.
In addition, according to a witness, said in July also in New York convicted Mexican ex-drug boss Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán Tony Hernández had paid a million US dollars, which were intended for the election campaign of his brother and current president Juan Orlando Hernández. The convicted person faces life imprisonment. He was arrested in the United States last year.
The prosecutors reportedly labeled President Hernández as a "co-conspirator" in the smuggling of tens of tons of cocaine during the more than two-week trial. He was not accused.
The head of state had spoken at the UN General Assembly in New York in September. At that time, his country also signed a migration agreement with the United States. US President Donald Trump said on the occasion that his counterpart was doing a "fantastic job".
The US State Department announced Wednesday that it would resume some temporary relief payments to Honduras and Guatemala and El Salvador for their progress in halting illegal immigration to the United States.
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President Hernández rejects allegations of involvement. The US government has clearly acknowledged that Honduras is an effective and trusted partner in the fight against drug trafficking, he wrote on Twitter on Friday. He had taken note of the verdict against his brother with great sadness.
At least two people were killed in protests against the president in June. Thousands of people took to the streets to demand the resignation of Hernández. It had come in Tegucigalpa also road blockades and looting. The protests, which have been going on for over a month, are mainly directed against government health and education reforms. Doctors and teachers accuse Hernández of wanting to privatize both areas. The protests also took place in the midst of a nationwide police strike.
