Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been revealed as the mastermind behind a narco state, engaging in drug trafficking, election fraud, and corruption at the highest levels of government. Shockingly, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has known about Hernández’s criminal activities for years, yet continued to support his regime with taxpayer dollars and weapons.
According to a motion filed by DOJ prosecutors, Hernández, with the help of his predecessor Porfirio Lobo, accepted bribes from cartel leaders to secure his position as president. He then used the resources of the Honduran state to further the interests of these narco lords, turning Honduras into a de facto narco state.
The DEA, tasked with combating drug trafficking, was well aware of Hernández’s involvement in the drug trade. In fact, they obtained video evidence showing that Hernández “effectively authorized drug trafficking” in Honduras. Yet, instead of taking action against him, the DEA rolled out the red carpet for the Honduran president, praising his anti-narcotics efforts. This raises serious questions about the agency’s credibility and its role in the illegal drug industry.
Hernández’s reign of terror extended beyond drug trafficking. He manipulated the political system, stacking the Supreme Court with his own allies and amending the constitution to secure his re-election. The 2013 presidential election was marred by widespread corruption, including vote buying, intimidation, and even assassinations of opposition activists and election observers.
Despite mounting evidence of Hernández’s criminal activities, the United States continued to support him. High-profile officials, including then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Ambassador Lisa Kubiske, legitimized Hernández’s “victory” and praised the transparency of the election process. The United States even provided over half a billion dollars in aid to Hernández’s government during his second term.
The corruption extended to the highest levels of the Honduran security services. Hernández appointed Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, a military general accused of running death squads, as Chief of the National Police. Bonilla protected the Hernández brothers’ drug trafficking activities and even carried out murders on their behalf.
Honduras became a transit center for the drug trade, with Hernández building multiple airports solely for the purpose of facilitating drug trafficking. The narco state’s influence extended to the highest levels of society, with powerful drug cartels collaborating with the government to run narcotics operations.
The Hernández brothers’ criminal empire began to crumble when Tony Hernández was arrested in Miami in 2018. He was convicted of weapons and drug trafficking charges the following year. However, Juan Orlando remained in power until January 2022.
The shocking revelation of Hernández’s criminal activities and the complicity of the United States in supporting his regime raises serious concerns about the integrity of the international drug war. It is clear that the war on drugs has been undermined by corruption and political interests, allowing narco states like Honduras to flourish.
As the DOJ’s case against Hernández unfolds, it is crucial that the truth be exposed and justice be served. The world must not turn a blind eye to the rampant corruption and criminality that has plagued Honduras under his rule. The people of Honduras deserve better, and the international community must hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
