Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been convicted on charges of conspiracy with drug traffickers and utilizing his military and national police force to facilitate the smuggling of tons of cocaine into the United States. The verdict was delivered on Friday at a federal court in New York after a two-week trial that had significant implications for his home country.

Hernandez, who served two terms as the leader of Honduras, was found guilty of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S. as well as two weapons-related charges. These charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years in prison, with a potential maximum sentence of life. The sentencing is scheduled for June 26.

As the jury announced their verdict, Hernandez stood alongside his defense attorney, Renato Stabile, in the courtroom. The former president appeared relaxed and even patted his attorney on the back. However, outside the courthouse, nearly 100 opponents of Hernandez celebrated the outcome, applauding and jumping with joy.

The scene in the courtroom remained subdued as the verdict was read. Hernandez maintained a composed demeanor, folding his hands or crossing his legs while each juror affirmed the verdict. Judge P. Kevin Castel commended the jurors for their unanimous decision, emphasizing the difficulty of achieving unanimity in a country where even 12 people struggle to agree on a pizza topping.

Following the conviction, defense attorney Sabrina Shroff stated that Hernandez intends to appeal the ruling. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams released a statement expressing hope that this conviction would serve as a deterrent to other corrupt politicians. Williams emphasized that Hernandez had the opportunity to make a positive impact on his country but instead chose personal gain and formed alliances with violent drug trafficking organizations.

Hernandez was arrested at his home in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa three months after leaving office in 2022 and was extradited to the U.S. in April of that year. U.S. prosecutors alleged that Hernandez had been involved with drug traffickers since 2004 and had accepted millions of dollars in bribes throughout his political career. The former president admitted that drug money was prevalent in Honduran political parties but denied receiving any bribes himself. He portrayed himself as a staunch ally in the war on drugs, highlighting his cooperation with the U.S. and his encounters with multiple U.S. presidents during his tenure.

In closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Gutwillig accused Hernandez of orchestrating a "cocaine superhighway" to facilitate drug trafficking into the United States. The prosecution ridiculed Hernandez's claims of innocence, suggesting that he portrayed himself as the only honest politician in Honduras.

The conviction of Former President Juan Orlando Hernandez underscores the gravity of his involvement in drug trafficking and the sprawling network of corruption that has plagued Honduras. As the sentencing date approaches, the case will continue to reverberate both domestically and internationally, leaving a lasting impact on the political landscape of the Central American nation.