- Title: Hondurans protest as president battles drug links accusations
- Date: 10th October 2019
- Summary: TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS (OCTOBER 9, 2019) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS CLASHING WITH POLICE PROTESTERS RUNNING DOWN ROAD AWAY FROM POLICE TEAR GAS WAFTING / PROTESTER THROWS CANISTER TOWARD POLICE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY TEAR GAS POLICE FIRE TEAR GAS, PROTESTER THROWS ROCKS PROTESTER HOLDING U.S. FLAG WITH WRITING ON IT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HONDURAN PROTESTER, RUDY ARIAS, SAYING: "(Protests are) one more attempt by the indignant people of Honduras - who are led by the narco-government of (President) Juan Orlando Hernandez and his posse who have taken over first, the national party, second, the Honduran people, and third the entire Honduran state. And, they've tried to burden us with these narco-trafficking activities as if all of Honduras now - as we're seen at the international level - were linked to drug trafficking to the United States." POLICE IN RIOT GEAR LINING UP ON ROAD PROTESTER THROWS EXPLOSIVE OBJECT AT POLICE VARIOUS, PEOPLE THROWING ROCKS AT POLICE PEOPLE THROW ROCKS AND EXPLOSIVE DEVICE AT POLICE VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HONDURAN PROTESTER, ROSA MARIA ORDONEZ, SAYING: "Actually, what's happening in New York is revealing the truth where his (President Hernandez) brother and his whole family are involved in drug trafficking. And, seeing what's happening, I think we Hondurans and elderly people are committed to the young people and to leaving them a more worthy country." VARIOUS, ARIAS CARRYING CRUCIFIX AT PROTEST
- Embargoed: 24th October 2019 03:48
- Keywords: Honduras bribery protests drug links clashes accusations narcotrafficking El Chapo Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez
- Location: TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS
- City: TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS
- Country: Honduras
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B0IJ70N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Hondurans took to the streets Wednesday (October 9) to oppose the government of President Juan Orlando Hernandez who is battling accusations that his brother has links to convicted drug traffickers.
Hundreds of Hondurans peacefully marched on the streets of the capital Tegucigalpa Wednesday, even as that same evening some protesters clashed violently with police in riot gear who fired tear gas in response.
Protesters cited the New York trial of the president's brother, Juan Antonio "Tony" Hernandez, a lawyer and former Honduran congressman, who is accused of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and possessing illegal weapons, as part of their opposition to the government.
Tony Hernandez has pleaded not guilty. A witness at his trial testified Tuesday (October 8) that Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman tried to give $1 million to President Hernandez's election campaign after being promised protection for his cocaine shipments.
The president has denied taking money from Guzman or other drug traffickers.
U.S. prosecutors have said Tony Hernandez, with the protection of his brother, moved tons of cocaine into the United States, some of it stamped with his initials, and took part in two drug-related murders.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has supported Juan Orlando Hernandez, a conservative, as a staunch ally in the fight against drug trafficking. In Honduras he has faced mounting popular opposition since he was sworn in for a second term in January 2018 despite allegations of electoral fraud.
(Production: Marvin Valladares, Manuel Carrillo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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