Honduras ex-President Hernandez sentenced to 45 years in prison on US drug conviction

Honduras ex-President Hernandez sentenced to 45 years in prison on US drug conviction
Honduras former President Juan Orlando Hernandez is escorted by authorities in April 2022 as he walks towards a plane of the US Drug Enforcement Administration for his extradition to the US.
PHOTO: Reuters

NEW YORK - Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was sentenced by a US judge on June 26 to 45 years in prison for his conviction on drug and firearm offences.

The sentence means Hernandez, 55, will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, unless his expected appeal succeeds.

A Manhattan jury found him guilty in March of accepting millions of dollars in bribes to protect US-bound cocaine shipments belonging to traffickers he once publicly proclaimed to combat.

Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, while defense lawyers said a 40-year term, the mandatory minimum under federal law, was enough.

US District Judge Kevin Castel said the 45-year sentence should send a message to well-educated, seemingly personable defendants who may believe they are insulated from prosecution.

He also said jurors saw through Hernandez’s “polished demeanor” during the two-week trial, where he took the stand in his own defense.

“They saw him for what he was: a two-faced politician hungry for power,” Judge Castel said in Manhattan federal court.

Hernandez led Honduras, a US ally in Central America, from 2014 to 2022.

Prosecutors said he facilitated shipments of at least 400 tons of cocaine to the United States, fueling addiction and violence.

They also said Hernandez used drug money to bribe officials and manipulate voting during Honduras’ 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.

“The defendant fed this never-ending cycle of drug trafficking and corruption that tore his country apart,” prosecutor Jacob Gutwillig said on June 26.

Hernandez denied taking bribes and said he fought the cartels during his presidency.

Wearing olive green prison clothing at his sentencing hearing, Hernandez said he had been wrongfully convicted. He singled out testimony from several convicted traffickers who testified that they bribed him, saying they were trying to reduce their own punishments and exact revenge.

“Despite everything done to me, which is an outrage and a lynching, I am an optimist and I know that the truth will be known later,” Hernandez told Judge Castel through a Spanish interpreter prior to being sentenced.

After being sentenced, he faced journalists seated in the jury box and said “soy inocente,” Spanish for “I am innocent.” He used a cane as US marshals led him out of the courtroom.

Hernandez has been jailed in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center since his April 2022 extradition from Tegucigalpa.

Judge Castel said he would let Hernandez stay there for now while he appeals.

Hernandez’s younger brother, Tony Hernandez, was sentenced to life in prison in March 2021 following his conviction on drug charges. He has been imprisoned in California. 

ALSO READ: Honduras ex-President Hernandez convicted at US drugs trial

Source: Reuters

homepage

trending

trending
    'Family love keeps me going': Thai, 46, walks 700km to quit cannabis addiction
    Kim Soo-hyun's luxury apartment seized over unpaid advertiser's penalty fee amid Kim Sae-ron scandal
    Singapore's 15th parliament to open on Sept 5
    ICA arrests Malaysian man trying to leave Singapore by hiding in lorry
    $540 instead of $5.40: Porridge stall in Westgate seeks customer who overpaid by mistake
    'I should treasure this': New dad Ghib Ojisan on his journey as the family's confinement nanny
    BTS' Jin tries lie detector test, what untruths did the machine pick out?
    Fan of PEANUTS? Meet Snoopy and Friends when you spend the June holidays at Compass One
    Foreigner arrested for suspected drug trafficking offences, over $110k worth of cannabis and Ice seized
    'I thought I was a forgotten actress': Apple Hong touched by supporters' messages after Star Awards' popularity nomination
    Singaporeans can use SG Culture Pass credits for over 200 arts and heritage events from September
    Popular Holland Village eateries Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe Bar to shutter

Singapore

Singapore
    • 16 arrested for illegal horse betting in joint operation by Singapore and Malaysia police
    • Man, 39, accused of housebreaking jumps bail, arrest warrant issued
    • Police Coast Guard rescues 63-year-old man off East Coast Park waters
    • HSA raids nightclub at Coleman Street for sale and use of illegal e-vaporisers
    • 'Can't get through to anyone': Jetstar Asia passengers facing issues with refund applications
    • Cultural group releases own video to clear the air over Gan Siow Huang handshake incident 
    • No significant impact to travellers after Jetstar Asia closure, say analysts
    • SG60 NDP to see largest number of marching contingents at Padang in over 30 years
    • 'It was very disheartening': Jetstar Asia cabin crew received news of closure while preparing for flight
    • 'Why do such dangerous things': Video from MRT track circulates online, SMRT lodges police report

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Ryan Lian reveals rocky 4 months, including grandma's death and 'eating huat kueh left out for prayer rituals'
    • Stars harassed: Jungkook's house almost broken into by woman, chauffeur sells Orm's personal info to fans
    • 'Everyone looked at us with pitiful eyes': BTS' Jimin and Jungkook share funny military experiences
    • Put their logo and priced it 10 times higher: Netizens upset exact copy of Enhypen's merch available cheaply on Taobao
    • Ye makes surprise appearance at Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial; judge considers removing juror
    • Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are engaged
    • Judge in Harvey Weinstein trial declares mistrial on rape charge
    • Sabrina Carpenter to release album titled Man's Best Friend on Aug 29
    • Harvey Weinstein convicted of sex crime amid contentious jury deliberations
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Hello, Singapore: Malaysian bubble tea chain Tealive lands at Changi Airport, first outlet in the country
    • Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular coming to Singapore March 2026, waitlist now open
    • Durians for $1.95 at FairPrice annual fair this June
    • Restaurant Labyrinth to have 2-day collaboration with Culinary Class Wars' Choi Hyun-seok
    • Touring a rare stretch of original 2-storey freehold terrace homes at Joo Chiat Place (from $3.02m)
    • Just opened in June 2025: New restaurants, cafes and bars in Singapore
    • BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport review: Subtle updates for an electric BMW favourite
    • Pop Mart's new Labubu collection, inspired by convenience store food, to launch on June 13
    • Honda Freed review: Understated small MPV with plenty of plus points
    • Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor Performance Pack review: Sporty electric SUV that's big in performance and price

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool
    • Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo
    • Ado concert review: Singer without a face ignites fans while in cage with only silhouette visible
    • EU and US authorities take down malware network
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Love without a BTO flat: Tough housing choices facing mixed-nationality couples in Singapore
    • 9 best air-mile credit cards in Singapore (May-June 2025)
    • Trump approves Nippon Steel's $19b purchase of US Steel
    • Air India disaster is first fatal Boeing 787 accident
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (June 2025): Blackpink Visa presale, Lilo & Stitch Hawaii vacation, up to 50% off flights and more
    • More seniors to benefit as 3 local banks recognise CPF Life payouts as income proof for credit card applications
    • World Bank cuts global growth forecast as trade tensions heighten uncertainty
    • Queenstown 5-room loft breaks national HDB record at $1.65m
    • The biggest misconceptions about buying property in Singapore's CCR in 2025

Latest

Latest
  • US immigration officials told to largely pause raids on farms and hotels, NYT reports
  • US President Trump and Japan PM Ishiba discuss tariffs and Israel's attacks against Iran
  • Iran says nuclear talks with US 'meaningless' after Israel attack
  • Iran launches waves of missiles at Israel in response to airstrikes
  • China's UN envoy condemns Israeli strikes on Iran: State media
  • Damage to Iranian nuclear sites so far appears limited, experts say
  • White House reviews SpaceX contracts as Trump-Musk feud simmers, sources say
  • North Korea's Kim Jong Un calls for more shell production, KCNA says
  • Judge rejects release of pro-Palestinian activist Khalil

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • 'I was scared. I stood up and ran': Sole survivor of Air India crash reportedly jumped out of emergency exit
  • 'Overwhelming response': Less than 2,000 books left after Yale-NUS adoption drive, June 14 fair open to public
  • 'You got yourself a customer for life': Woman receives surprise gifts from SIA crew to celebrate her pregnancy
  • Bus swayed uncontrollably and was speeding: Survivors of crash which killed 15 students in Malaysia describe terrifying moments
  • 'Modern kampung spirit': Neighbours leave heartfelt notes on newly-weds' apology notice for wedding 'gatecrash' noise
  • 'A quiet spot to hang out': Car enthusiasts mourn closure of '40 tiang' Lim Chu Kang Road
  • 2 women arrested for theft at Changi Airport transit area within an hour
  • 40 Singaporeans going on 'Single's Inferno' trips to Japan to find love, minus the cameras
  • Mum of 6 who juggles 3 jobs starts free breakfast club for children in Ang Mo Kio
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.