Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández received a 45-year prison sentence on Wednesday for drug trafficking, following a ruling by a New York court.
The 55-year-old was found guilty on all charges brought by the US Justice Department, which included conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and illegal possession of firearms.
Hernández, who governed Honduras from 2014 to 2022, faced accusations of facilitating the transportation of at least 400 tons of cocaine to the US through the country’s police force.
Amidst the trial, participants in the drug trafficking network testified that Hernández accepted payments from cartels, including a $1 million sum from Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s Sinaloa Cartel.
Judge Kevin Castel of the Federal District also imposed an $8 million fine on the former president and directed his defense team to clarify how they intend to pay the penalty.
During his tenure, Hernández portrayed himself as a steadfast ally of the US in combating drug trafficking.
Prior to delivering the sentence, Judge Castel criticized Hernández for publicly condemning drug trafficking while allegedly facilitating the importation of millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine.
Hernández maintained his innocence throughout the sentencing hearing, declaring, “I am innocent. I was wrongly and unjustly accused.” In a letter to Judge Castel, he criticized prosecutors and agents for allegedly failing to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the complete truth.
The ex-president was apprehended in 2022 in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, a mere three months after departing from office. He was then extradited to the US in April of the same year.
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