Symbol copyright Getty Pictures Image caption Juan Antonio Hernández is accused of offering security for drug shipments to the united states
A US courtroom has charged the brother of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández with drug smuggling and weapons offences, which he denies.
Prosecutors accuse Juan Antonio Hernández of conspiring with others to smuggle massive quantities of cocaine to the us over a 12-12 months period.
He is suspected of providing closely-armed safety for the drug shipments.
The network is claimed to have operated in Colombia, Honduras and Mexico the use of planes, speedboats and a submarine.
Mr Hernández, who is a 40-12 months-antique former congressman, used to be arrested on 23 November in Miami, Florida. He faces four separate charges and up to lifestyles in prison on 3 of the fees.
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US Legal Professional Geoffrey S Berman mentioned “Mr Hernández allegedly arranged machine gun-toting safety for cocaine shipments, bribed law enforcement officials for delicate knowledge to offer protection to drug shipments, and solicited huge bribes from major drug traffickers”.
Speaking after his brother’s arrest on Friday, President Juan Orlando Hernández said that whilst his detention was once “a heavy blow for the circle of relatives” he stressed that “nobody is above the legislation, that is been my stance and also you realize it, my stance as president and as a relative”.
“I AM HOPING that the justice system will give him the risk to protect himself. As a family, we will be there to strengthen him in the correct way. I’M HOPING the justice system will probably be capable of shed light on whether those allegations are actual or no longer,” the president said.
President Hernández, 50, first took workplace in January 2014 and used to be narrowly re-elected a year in the past in a disputed election through which his rival, Salvador Nasralla, accused him of vote rigging.
The president said that he had recommended his brother to give himself to the authorities in the u.s. as early as 2016, while the previous chief of Honduran drug gang Los Cachiros accused Juan Antonio Hernández of soliciting bribes.
He additionally mentioned that his government remained committed to the struggle in opposition to drug trafficking and corruption.
Honduras is a tremendous transit course for cocaine smuggled from Colombia and other South American international locations to the us.
