"Thai Deputy Defense Minister Condemns Cambodia Over Landmine Incident Injuring Thai Soldiers; Keo Remy, however, warned, 'Please do not walk like a crab.'" | BREAKING: Tensions Escalate: Thai Troops Prepare to Launch Unauthorized Attack on Cambodian Territory Amid Internal Political Strife | Cambodia Rebuts Thailand’s Baseless Landmine Allegations and Urges Diplomacy to Maintain Regional Peace | Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Using Landmine Incidents as a Political Tool and Violating Ceasefire Agreements | Breaking: Kandal Provincial Police Arrest Notorious Lotion Manufacturer Love Riya | Cambodia Clarifies Misleading Claims About Ottawa Convention Meeting in Bangkok | Cambodia, China, and Thailand Discuss Regional Cooperation and Border Disputes at Mekong-Lancang Meeting | Smile Asia Philanthropic Visionary Award” Presented to Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet | Cambodia & Thailand Call for Restraint and Adherence to International Agreements | International Observer Team Conducts Monitoring Visit Following Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire Agreement | Cambodia, Vietnam Strengthen Ties in High‑Level Video Conference; Aim for $20B Trade |
"Thai Deputy Defense Minister Condemns Cambodia Over Landmine Incident Injuring Thai Soldiers; Keo Remy, however, warned, 'Please do not walk like a crab.'" | BREAKING: Tensions Escalate: Thai Troops Prepare to Launch Unauthorized Attack on Cambodian Territory Amid Internal Political Strife | Cambodia Rebuts Thailand’s Baseless Landmine Allegations and Urges Diplomacy to Maintain Regional Peace | Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Using Landmine Incidents as a Political Tool and Violating Ceasefire Agreements | Breaking: Kandal Provincial Police Arrest Notorious Lotion Manufacturer Love Riya | Cambodia Clarifies Misleading Claims About Ottawa Convention Meeting in Bangkok | Cambodia, China, and Thailand Discuss Regional Cooperation and Border Disputes at Mekong-Lancang Meeting | Smile Asia Philanthropic Visionary Award” Presented to Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet | Cambodia & Thailand Call for Restraint and Adherence to International Agreements | International Observer Team Conducts Monitoring Visit Following Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire Agreement | Cambodia, Vietnam Strengthen Ties in High‑Level Video Conference; Aim for $20B Trade |

U.S. Judge Orders Ex-Honduras President Detained On Drugs, Weapons Charges

INTERNATIONAL: - A U.S. judge on Friday ordered the detention of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, in Hernandez's first court appearance after being extradited to the United States on drug and weapons charges.

U.S. prosecutors said Hernandez, once a Washington ally, received millions of dollars from drug traffickers, including Mexico's Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, while leading Honduras from 2014 to early 2022.

Hernandez used the money to enrich himself and finance his political campaigns, in return for protecting traffickers from arrest and giving them access to law enforcement information, according to an indictment unsealed on Thursday in federal court in Manhattan.

The defendant faces three criminal counts, including cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons possession.

Hernandez has strongly denied the allegations, portraying himself as a fierce opponent of drug cartels and accusing traffickers of smearing him to extract revenge and lighten their sentences.

At a virtual hearing, he wore a blue jacket and glasses, and sat in front of a white wall while holding a phone to his right ear to listen to his Spanish interpreter.

He shook his head sideways as U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart Aaron described the charges, and through the interpreter said, "yes, your honor" when Aaron asked if he understood them.

Hernandez, who prosecutors said is being detained in the New York area, is expected to be arraigned on May 10.

His U.S.-based lawyer Raymond Colon agreed to his client's detention until then, pending a possible bail application.

Hernandez's younger brother, former Honduran congressman Tony Hernandez, was sentenced to life in prison in March 2021 after being convicted in Manhattan on federal drug trafficking charges.

U.S. President Joe Biden has focused on tackling corruption in Central America, with an eye toward stemming the tide of migrants from the region to the United States.



Related News