Trial of former Honduran president postponed until September

A federal judge in New York postponed until September 18 the start of the trial against the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, accused of drug trafficking.

The decision comes after lawyers for both parties submitted a joint letter requesting a new postponement.

Although prosecutors had asked for the trial to start in mid-June and the defense had asked for it to start in July or August, Judge Kevin Castel set the trial to start on September 18.

Hernández, a former US ally who led Honduras from 2014 to January 2022, was extradited to the United States last April.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say he received millions of dollars from the drug trade in exchange for his protection.

hernandez has pleaded not guilty and has long portrayed himself as a fierce opponent of drug cartels, arguing that traffickers have implicated him in court as part of an effort to reduce their own sentences.

[Con información de Reuters]

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