The US justice system condemns the former Honduran president for drug trafficking: a trend in Latin America.

The former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, became the latest in a long list of Latin American political leaders to be convicted in a US court for crimes related to drugs or corruption. Hernández, who governed the Central American country between 2014 and 2022, was sentenced to 45 years in prison and five years of supervised release for drug trafficking. This case adds to other prominent leaders in the region who have faced US justice for similar reasons in recent years. The history of Latin Americans facing justice in the United States is not new. One of the most emblematic cases was that of Panamanian dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega, who ruled from 1983 to 1989 and was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 1992. Since then, former presidents of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Venezuela have followed suit, facing accusations of corruption and ties to drug trafficking that led them to international courts. In the case of Honduras, former President Hernández was accused of using funds from Mexican drug trafficker 'El Chapo' Guzmán to commit electoral fraud and collaborate in the transportation of tons of cocaine to the United States. After an extensive legal process that culminated in his conviction, it is evident that US authorities are taking these cases of corruption and drug trafficking in the region seriously. In Guatemala, former President Alfonso Portillo served a 70-month sentence in the United States for money laundering, while in Mexico, former Secretary of Public Security Genaro García Luna faces charges for receiving bribes from the Sinaloa cartel. In Venezuela, former general Cliver Alcalá Cordones was convicted of drug terrorism and supporting terrorism, while in Peru, former President Alejandro Toledo was extradited from the United States to face corruption charges. These cases highlight the complex relationship between corruption, drug trafficking, and politics in Latin America, as well as the importance of international cooperation in the fight against these scourges. The US justice system has shown its commitment to prosecuting those responsible for these crimes, regardless of their position or social status, sending a clear message that impunity has no place in the region. It is essential for Latin American countries to strengthen their institutions and promote transparency to prevent cases like those mentioned from recurring in the future. Accountability and respect for the rule of law are fundamental pillars for building fairer and more equitable societies, where corruption and drug trafficking do not find refuge in high levels of power. In this context, it is imperative that governments in the region redouble their efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime, strengthening institutions responsible for upholding the law and ensuring the independence of the judiciary. Only through a real commitment to transparency and legality can a more prosperous and secure future be built for all citizens of Latin America.