US publicizes inclusion of former Honduras president to corrupt actors list News
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US publicizes inclusion of former Honduras president to corrupt actors list

The US Department of State made public Monday the addition of former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez to the “Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors” list (“the list”), which effectively makes Hernandez ineligible for visas and admission to the US.

The move comes in the wake of a letter sent by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations last week asking to hold Hernandez accountable. The State Department already added Hernandez to the list in July and the said visa restrictions took effect immediately. However, this information was declassified and publicized only on Monday, under § 353 of the US-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, “to advance the US government’s commitment to fighting corruption and promoting democracy, rule of law, and accountability in support of the people of Central America.”

Hernandez has been accused of engaging in “significant corruption by committing or facilitating acts of corruption and narco-trafficking,” and was identified by name in sworn witness testimony in a US federal criminal proceeding as having received proceeds from illegal drug trafficking. He allegedly used these proceeds as part of his campaign financing.

Hernandez left office last month and was replaced by the country’s first female president, Xiomara Castro. Her inauguration ceremony was attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris. The move was seen as part of a strategy to strengthen US-Honduras relations. The US has economic and geopolitical interest in Honduras and hopes to work with Castro to help curb migration from the country. Additionally, Honduras is one of the few countries with diplomatic ties with Taiwan, signaling a possible US attempt to bolster Latin American support for Taiwan.

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