Ex-Honduran president defends himself at New York drug trafficking trial
By LARRY NEUMEISTER
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández took the witness stand in his defense at his New York trial, denying that he teamed up with drug dealers to protect them in return for millions of dollars in bribes. His testimony in Manhattan federal court came after several days of testimony by drug cartel traffickers who are hoping to earn leniency from long prison sentences in exchange for their cooperation. Prosecutors say Hernandez used his Central American nation’s military and police to help drug dealers move cocaine through the country on its way to America. Hernandez denied helping them or accepting bribes.
