- Title: Honduran president denies protection for drug traffickers
- Date: 17th October 2019
- Summary: TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS (OCTOBER 17, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS, EXTERIOR OF HONDURAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
- Embargoed: 31st October 2019 21:03
- Keywords: Honduras Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez Central America brother trial bribes drugs narcotrafficking
- Location: TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS
- City: TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS
- Country: Honduras
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B1HMJBB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez denied on Thursday (October 17) that the Central American nation protects drug traffickers or is a narco state, following allegations in the U.S. trial of his brother that the two men accepted bribes from cocaine smugglers.
President Hernandez spoke on national television as a jury deliberated after closing arguments from U.S. prosecutors.
The president's brother Juan Antonio "Tony" Hernandez faces charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.
Tony Hernandez, a former congressman, has pleaded not guilty.
The trial has brought increased pressure on President Hernandez as seen at a protest in the capital of Tegucigalpa Wednesday (October 16) where people marched down main streets chanting "out."
(Production: Marvin Valladares, Manuel Carrillo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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