Honduran President Denies Drug Trafficking Connection As US Prosecutors Press Charges Against Former Police Chief

The U.S. federal prosecutors have pressed charges against the former national police chief of Honduras, Juan Carlos Bonilla. He has been accused of trafficking tonnes of cocaine into the U.S. on behalf of the Honduran president, Juan Orlando Hernández.

Following the official announcement, the office of the Honduran president released a statement mentioning that the drug trafficking accusations against the president are completely false. The president’s brother, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernández, was also convicted of similar charges nearly six months ago.

The Honduran president was not mentioned as a co-conspirator during his brother’s trial, however, the U.S. has continued to mention him as an ally to his brother. He has not only been implicated for drug trafficking but also corruption. However, no charges have been pressed directly against him.

The complaint against Bonilla has been filed by the Southern District of New York. The complaint accuses him of conspiracy, extreme violence and the murder of a rival in the drug trafficking world.

The prosecutors mention that all of it was ordered and co-conspired by President Hernández and his brother. Bonilla was given special assignments, which includes murder.

Bonilla, more popularly known as El Tigre, was appointed as the Police Chief in Honduras back in May 2012. Bonilla collaborated with the US counter-narcotics forces working in Honduras and also assembled a team that worked closely with the U.s. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to pin down high-profile drug traffickers, including the president’s brother.

But when Bonilla was himself identified as the co-conspirator of Tony Hernández, he used his relationship with the DEA as his proof of innocence.

The allegation of murder and allegations followed, all of which were denied by him.

“I am not a villain. I am a former officer of the national police with the rank of general who served my country and served society,” Bonilla said in a statement.