March 12, 2021
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Juan Orlando Hernandez, drug-trafficking implicated President of Honduras, glad-handing with prominent US and Canadian leaders whose governments have fully supported and ‘legitimized’ the Honduran regime since the June 28, 2009 military coup ousted Honduras’ last democratically elected government.
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DAY FOUR: Trial Against Honduran Drug Trafficker, Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez
March 11, 2021, by Karen Spring
"Los Cachiros [drug trafficking cartel] bribed President Juan Orlando Hernandez (JOH) with $250,000 in approx. 2012. The money was given to JOH’s sister, Hilda Hernandez. Los Cachiros paid Manuel Zelaya $500,000 asking him to name their cousin as the Minister of Security. Also, Los Cachiros paid $500,000 to current Vice President Ricardo Alvarez, at the time he was campaigning to be President, and also paid $50,000 to Tony Hernandez (JOH’s brother – a convicted drug trafficker, in jail in the US)."
US Senator Patrick Leahy
"Democracy in Central America is facing existential threats. (...) In Honduras, corruption permeates the highest ranks of government, civil society activists are under attack, and the justice system is complicit in perpetuating lawlessness and impunity. (...) Without good governance, no amount of foreign aid will fundamentally change this dynamic. The Biden Administration and the U.S. Congress should reassess our relations with these governments that are the antithesis of credible partners, and in doing so reaffirm our strong commitment to defending the rights of the Central American people and the principles of government of the people, by the people, and for the people."
https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/statement-of-senator-patrick-leahy-central-american-democracy-faces-existential-threats
More information
Honduran president was sent $250,000 bribe from drug traffickers, according to witness in New York trial
March 11, 2021, Univision News, by Jeff Ernst and David Adams
https://www.univision.com/univision-news/latin-america/honduran-president-was-sent-250-000-bribe-from-drug-traffickers-according-to-witness-in-new-york-trial
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This is why thousands of Hondurans & Guatemalans flee into exile, year after year
The US and Canadian governments, the World Bank and global businesses and investors (in the sectors of mining, dams, African palm, sugarcane, bananas, garment “sweatshop” factors, tourism, etc.), maintain beneficial relations with anti-democratic, corrupt, repressive governments in Honduras and Guatemala, contributing to and benefitting from exploitation and poverty, environmental harms, repression and human rights violations, corruption and impunity.
“Shithole countries”: US government promises pathway to citizenship for 11 million people, but will the US, Canada and “international community” continue to treat Honduras and Guatemala like “shithole countries”, creating ever more forced migrants and refugees?
By Grahame Russell, Rights Action, February 9, 2021, https://mailchi.mp/rightsaction/us-government-promises-pathway-to-citizenship-for-11-million-people
Act / Stir up the pot / Chip away
Keep sending copies of Rights Action information (and that of other solidarity groups/ NGOs) to family, friends, your networks, politicians and media, asking ‘Why do our governments, companies and investment firms benefit from and turn a blind eye to poverty, repression and violence, environmental and health harms that caused the forced migrancy / refugee crisis in Guatemala and Honduras?’
Follow work of and get involved with other solidarity/NGO groups
Tax-Deductible Donations (Canada & U.S.)
To support land, human rights and environmental defender groups, and justice struggles in Honduras and Guatemala, make check to "Rights Action" and mail to:
- U.S.: Box 50887, Washington DC, 20091-0887
- Canada: (Box 552) 351 Queen St. E, Toronto ON, M5A-1T8
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