US extradites former Honduran president Hernandez to face drug charges

The former president of Honduras has been indicted on federal drug charges and extradited to the United States. Juan Orlando Hernandez is accused of facilitating cocaine trafficking and receiving millions of dollars in bribes from cartels, including a $1 million bribe from former drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. 

According to a U.S. Attorney, Hernandez told a co-conspirator he wanted “to stuff the drugs right up the noses of the gringos”.

The DOJ said Hernandez had security guards armed with machine guns protect cocaine shipments into the United States. The former president is accused of helping traffic 500,000 tons of cocaine throughout his political career. 

The DOJ alleged Hernandez used his presidency, law enforcement, and the military to help drug cartels in Honduras and Mexico, and he allowed them to operate with impunity. 

“Hernandez is alleged to have used his vast political powers to protect and assist drug traffickers and cartel leaders by alerting them to possible interdictions, and sanctioning heavily-armed violence to support their drug trade,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.

The DOJ said Hernandez was not only corrupt as president, but also as a congressman dating back to 2004. According to the indictment, he used the money he received to enrich himself, finance his political campaigns, and commit voter fraud.

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman after being arrested by Mexican authorities.

“Hernández abused his position as President of Honduras from 2014 through 2022 to operate the country as a narco-state,” Attorney General Garland said.

Honduras is a Northern Triangle country along with Guatemala and El Salvador. Many of its citizens are victims of drug violence and live in poverty. According to the World Bank, the average Honduran resident makes the equivalent of about $2,200 U.S. per year. 

The DOJ said this indictment was part of a larger investigation into state assisted drug trafficking in Honduras that is responsible for 500,000 tons of cocaine being illicitly brought into the United States, in addition to dozens of murders. The investigation also led to the 2019 conviction of Hernandez’s brother, former Honduran Congressman Tony Hernandez, who is spending life in prison.