Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $8 million by a New York court on Wednesday for trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.
“This sentence sends a strong message to corrupt leaders who think they can abuse their power and get away with it,” said US Attorney General, Merrick Garland. “The United States will not tolerate the exploitation of public office for personal gain, and we will continue to hold accountable those who engage in such corruption.”
Outside the Manhattan courthouse, anti-Hernandez protesters gathered, brandishing placards decrying the former head of state’s crimes. “Justice has been served,” said protester, Maria Sanchez. “Hernandez’s actions brought suffering to many families in Honduras and the United States, and he must face the consequences.”
Hernandez’s legal team has indicated that he will appeal his conviction. His sentence was less than the life imprisonment sought by prosecutors, but given his age, 55, he may still spend the rest of his life behind bars.
“Hernandez turned Honduras into a narco-state, and his actions had far-reaching consequences for the people of Honduras and the United States,” said US Federal Prosecutor, Jason Richman. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the damage he caused to so many lives.”
Hernandez’s case follows in the footsteps of other former Latin American heads of state convicted in the United States, including Panama’s Manuel Noriega and Guatemala’s Alfonso Portillo.