Cocaine, Bribes And Murder: The Allegations Against the Drug Lord Trump Recently Pardoned

President Donald Trump, who has frequently linked crime and drug smuggling to his tough immigration policies and has hinted at military interventions in countries like Venezuela, has issued a pardon for former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernndez. Hernndez had been sentenced to decades in prison for sending hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.

Trump recently stated that "many people in Honduras" requested the pardon, and Hernndez continues to maintain his innocence. Over the weekend, Trump explained to reporters, "They claimed he was targeted because he was the president, and said it was a Biden administration setup. I reviewed the facts and agreed with them."

Details of Hernndezs Convictions

Hernndez was sentenced to 45 years in prison last year for his central role in a massive cocaine trafficking operation that introduced over 400 tons of the drug into the U.S.equivalent to more than 4.5 billion doses. The Justice Department described Hernndez as being at the "center of one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world."

The DOJ stated that as Hernndez rose to power, he "provided increased support and protection for his co-conspirators, allowing them to move mountains of cocaine, commit acts of violence and murder, and contribute to making Honduras one of the most dangerous countries in the world." This occurred even as he publicly promoted anti-cartel legislation in Honduras.

Bribery and Corruption

During court proceedings, prosecutors revealed that Hernndez accepted a $1 million bribe from notorious drug lord Joaqun "El Chapo" Guzmn during his first presidential campaign. Other traffickers testified to giving Hernndez large bribes over the years. Devis Leonel Rivera Maradiaga, a former gang leader, admitted giving Hernndez $250,000 in 2012 in exchange for avoiding arrest and extradition to the U.S.

An accountant for Hernndez testified about seeing the former president receive suitcases filled with cash and personally counting bundles of $20 bills.

Statements on Drug Trafficking

The accountant recalled Hernndez making callous remarks about drug trafficking, including, "We are going to stuff the drugs up the gringos noses, and theyre never even going to know it." Prosecutors also said Hernndez assured traffickers that U.S. punishment could be avoided because "by the time the gringos find out, we will have eliminated extradition." Evidence indicated that traffickers used bribes to gain information about U.S. anti-narcotics operations involving Honduran Air Force pilots.

Election Manipulation

The DOJ alleged Hernndez used drug money to influence election outcomes. During his 2013 campaign, he reportedly directed traffickers to bribe local officials in areas of low electoral support. Similar tactics were claimed in the 2017 election to ensure favorable results.

Hernndezs brother, also implicated in drug trafficking, was later murdered in prison, reportedly to prevent him from cooperating with law enforcement against Hernndez.

Author: Sophia Brooks