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June 27, 2024

Honduran Ex-President, Once Backed by U.S., Sentenced to 45 Years in U.S. Prison on Drug Charges
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A U.S. federal judge has sentenced former Honduran President Juan
Orlando Hernández to 45 years in prison on drug trafficking charges.
Prosecutors successfully argued Hernández ruled Honduras as a
"narco-state" as he accepted millions of dollars in bribes from cocaine
traffickers in exchange for protection. Before his presidential term
ended in 2022, Hernández was a longtime U.S. ally who received
unconditional backing during his eight-year rule, despite mounting
reports of serious human rights violations and accusations of corruption
and drug trafficking.


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