Former Honduran president sentenced to 45 years in US prison for drug trafficking

In New York, Hernandez was convicted of drug conspiracy and gun possession. He was also fined $8 million.

“Juan Orlando Hernández abused his position as President of Honduras to transform the country into a narco-state where violent drug traffickers operated with impunity, and the people of Honduras and the United States were forced to suffer consequences,” the US attorney said. General Merrick Garland in March.

Hernandez maintained his innocence, saying he was a “victim of cartel vengeance.” However, U.S. prosecutors say he was involved and protected in a network that shipped approximately 400 tons of cocaine to the United States between 2004 and 2022, while he was a congressman, congressional speaker, and then president of Honduras.

In exchange, he allegedly received millions of dollars from cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel led by notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman, who has since been convicted in the United States.

A sudden fall

In exchange for these bribes, Hernández “protected drug traffickers from investigation, arrest and extradition,” according to U.S. authorities.

His fall was rapid. Just after handing over power to new left-wing President Xiomara Castro, the former leader was arrested, handcuffed and shackled on camera.

Once seen as a champion in the fight against drug trafficking and considered an ally by the United States, Hernandez's 2017 re-election was initially recognized by Washington despite opposition allegations of fraud amid protests which left around 30 dead.

With his conviction, Hernández joins other former Latin American leaders tried and convicted in the United States, such as Manuel Noriega of Panama in 1992 for drug trafficking and Alfonso Portillo of Guatemala in 2014 for money laundering.