By Caribbean News Global contributor 
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, – Following the verdict in a New York court that declared president of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández brother guilty, president Hernández, reiterated that “this verdict is not against the state of Honduras” and strongly rejected that the country be qualified as a narco state.
Hernández reiterated his firm position to continue fighting organized crime and drug trafficking, said: “Honduras has been a reference in the fight against drug trafficking in the region; the results of this fight have been highlighted by the same agencies of the United States, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Southern Command, the Department of State and the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa.”
Hernández said: “These crimes have cost more than 67 thousand deaths of Hondurans, and in my opinion, it is outrageous that drug traffickers and confessed murderers present themselves as if they have more credibility as honest citizens.”
“But do not get the wrong impression by believing that this will stop us in our commitment to the Honduran people to do what we have to do to recover peace and tranquility.” The president said: “We won’t forget the sacrifice of justice operators to achieve something that had never happened in the country’s history: to turn Honduras into a hostile territory for drug trafficking.”
President Hernandez reiterated the willingness of his government to keep on fighting drug trafficking “with the same decision and courage that have always characterized us.” He reaffirmed that he “will continue collaborating with the authorities of the United States and with other countries until this plague that causes so much pain and death in our families is eradicated.”
During Hernández tenure as president of the National Congress, he led a transnational anti-crime strategy that allowed the approval of more than 20 laws and instruments, including extradition.
Subsequently, there has been 24 extradition proceedings, resulting in the voluntary delivery of another dozen drug traffickers, thus breaking up the six most powerful drug trafficking cartels operating in Honduras.
“No one is above the law.” To my relatives, friends, political party members and close friends, he said: “Don’t come and ask me for favors outside the law; everyone is responsible for their actions. We are all subject to it. We will continue firmer and more determined than ever to continue our fight against criminals”, he concluded.
