Honduras: US blacklists former President Juan Orlando Hernandez in 2021

The US government has decided to add the then President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, to the list of persons banned from entering its territory due to corruption or anti-democratic actions in 2021, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Monday. as this move ceased to be secret, after his departure from power.

In a press release, Blinken explained that the move was due to credible information about Mr Hernandez’s involvement in “corruption” or “facilitating” corruption and “drug trafficking” as well as the use of “proceeds of crime”. legitimized “for” the financing of his election campaigns “.

The former president of Honduras was named in the affidavit in criminal proceedings in a US federal court, as he allegedly embezzled part of the profits from the trafficking of large quantities of drugs and used this money to finance his election campaigns. .

The State Department included Mr. Hernandez in the “Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors List” that he compiles on July 1 and now declassifies and publicizes this move, Anthony Blinken added.

Juan Orlando Hernandez handed over power late last month.

His inclusion in the list “generally” means that he no longer has the right to obtain a visa and enter the United States, the US Secretary of State reminded.

Mr Hernandez has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. Last year, however, his brother, a former lawmaker, was sentenced by a U.S. court to 30 years in prison for drug trafficking.

Mr. Hernandez’s presidency ended on January 27, when Siomara Castro, the first woman to hold office in the impoverished Central American state, was sworn in and took office.

US Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Honduras to attend the inauguration of Ms Castro, which analysts said was a sign of Washington’s intention to support the new head of state, whose ouster was overshadowed by a political crisis.

The US government wants to work with Ms. Castro to reduce migration flows from Central America to its territory and to consolidate Taiwan’s international support. Tegucigalpa is one of the few capitals now that maintains diplomatic relations with Taipei.

SOURCE: AMPE

Source: Capital

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