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The prison sentence will only be pronounced in a few months, but the case may have political consequences, especially since the trial has resulted in a large unpacking involving Honduran leaders.
"Tony" Hernandez was arrested nearly a year ago at the Miami airport. Accused of being involved in trafficking about 200 tons of cocaine since 2004, false testimony and possession of firearms, he was found guilty on Friday of all counts. His trial was held in the past two weeks in a New York court hearing overwhelming evidence for President Juan Orlando Hernandez's brother.
A state linked to narcotrafic
All in " total impunity " according to the prosecutor, who stressed that the defendant had benefited from the protection of his brother. And the president of Honduras has reportedly received millions of dollars in bribes from drug traffickers , including to fund his election campaigns, said the New York federal prosecutor on the first day of the hearing.
Tony Hernandez will be sentenced next January. He faces life imprisonment.
A judgment that seeks to "dirty the name of Honduras"
In Honduras, President Juan Orlando Hernandez immediately expressed his " sadness " while criticizing the verdict. For the head of state, the judgment is based " on the testimony of recognized assassins " and seeks " to dirty the name of Honduras ".
What can be decreed sober a condena basada in testimonios of asesinos confesos, y arguments that varios de estos testigos no fueron extraditados por Honduras if Estados Unidos nunca los pidió in extradición? 2/5
Juan Orlando H. (@JuanOrlandoH) October 18, 2019In this Central American country plagued by poverty and crime, the opposition, through the voice of former leftist President Manuel Zelalya, called for demonstrations to demand the resignation of President Hernandez. The latter is considered by Donald Trump as a privileged partner of US policy to fight illegal immigration.