Hernández used the money to enrich himself and finance his political campaigns.in exchange for protecting traffickers from arrest and giving them access to information from law enforcement, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
The defendant faces three criminal charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine and weapons possession.
Hernández has strongly denied the accusations and has presented himself as a fierce opponent of the drug cartels, while accusing the traffickers of defaming him to get revenge and lighten their sentences.
Hernández’s attorney in the United States, Raymond Colón, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The president of United States, Joe Bidenhas focused on the fight against corruption in Central Americawith the aim of stemming the wave of migrants from the region to the United States.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday that the current Honduran government “wants our help” in dealing with drugs.
Hernández’s accusation is dated January 27, when he was replaced as president of the country by the leftist Xiomara Castrowho defeated Nasry Asfura of Hernández’s right-wing National Party in November.
The US Justice Department typically refrains from indicting sitting heads of state. The Honduran Supreme Court authorized Hernández’s extradition in March.
Hernandez’s younger brother, former Honduran congressman Tony Hernandez, was sentenced to life in prison in March 2021 after being convicted in Manhattan of drug trafficking.
Source: Ambito
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