Honduran president’s brother is convicted in U.S. drug case

NEW YORK — The brother of the Honduran president was convicted Friday in a massive drug conspiracy case in New York after prosecutors said he relied on “state sponsored drug trafficking” enabled by the Central American leader.

Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, 41, a former Honduran congressman, was convicted of drug conspiracy, weapons charges and lying to the Drug Enforcement Administration. His lawyer vowed to appeal.

The trial put a spotlight on the lucrative drug trade between the U.S. and Honduras, where thousands of migrants have fled toward the U.S. border with Mexico.

On Twitter, Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez said he received news of the verdict “with great sadness.”

“In the name of the Honduran government and its institutions any false and irresponsible version that aims to stain the name of Honduras as a result of this verdict is rejected,” he said.

Attorney Omar Malone said that his client was disappointed by the outcome and that the jury reached its verdict despite a “vigorous defense.” But he said the process was fair.

“He holds his head high knowing in his own heart that what was said about him in court was inaccurate and untrue,” Malone said. “And so he maintains to this day his innocence of the charges leveled against him and he wants to move forward. And we will.”

U.S. prosecutors say the drug conspiracy was protected by the Honduran government. The trial featured testimony that convicted Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman aided the conspiracy by giving $1 million in bribes to Tony Hernandez to pass along to his brother.

The Honduran president was not charged in the case but was labeled a co-conspirator. The president tweeted during the trial that the prosecution’s allegations were “100% false, absurd and ridiculous.”

In a closing argument Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Atty. Emil Bove said the drug conspiracy was already more than six years old in 2010 when Tony Hernandez and his associates gained control of the government to protect drug traffickers aligned with the country’s National Party.

“That is state-sponsored drug trafficking. And with that level of power and control the defendant was virtually untouchable,” he said. “The results of that are astonishing.”