On February 12, 2024, the former President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández (JOH) will stand trial in New York for drug trafficking and weapons-related charges. As the President of Honduras (2014 to 2022) and President of Congress (2010 to 2014) following the 2009 coup, JOH protected some of the largest drug traffickers in the world from investigation and arrest; and directed Honduran military and police to protect drug shipments transiting through Honduras and murder the enemies of his drug cartel. He received millions in drug money bribes which he used to fund his political campaigns and commit voter fraud in at least two Honduran elections, both of which Canada recognized and defended as ‘democratic.’

During the time that JOH was a powerful Honduran political figure, Canada maintained relations with the Honduran government.

In 2009, Canada played a critical role in legitimizing the military-backed coup d’etat in Honduras by recognizing the immediate post-coup government despite widespread protest by the Honduran people and the international community. For the 12 years that followed, Canada economically and diplomatically supported subsequent post-coup governments in Honduras despite allegations of widespread human rights abuses, electoral frauds, major corruption scandals, and allegations of state-sponsored narco-trafficking. 

 

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In 2022, former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was arrested and extradited to the United States, accused of using the Honduran military and police to traffic drugs to the United States from 2004 until the end of his eight year presidency. After the coup, Canada sent millions of dollars to “strengthen various security-related capabilities” and carried out joint Canada-Honduras military training. This egregious misuse of our tax dollars came at the great expense of the Honduran people, hundreds of thousands of which have been forced to flee the country, which today remains heavily impacted by organized crime. 

What did Canada know about the establishment of the narco-dictatorship and when? How can we ensure that our tax dollars are never again used to finance organized crime and human rights abuses committed abroad? 

It’s time to insist on accountability! Write your Parliamentary representatives and government representatives today and request that they closely follow the trial of former Honduran President Hernández in the Southern District of New York scheduled for February 5th, 2024. 

Demand that Parliament lead an investigation to uncover the facts of Canadian support for the regime in Honduras, determine why, despite warnings and serious concerns of human rights abuses, corruption, and the growth of a narco-state, that the Canadian government did not immediately cease funding and technical assistance to Honduras. 

Join the Honduran Solidarity Network (HSN) in our campaign "U.S. and Canada On Trial''. We will be writing actions before, during, and after JOH's trial. These actions will showcase the role of the U.S. and Canada in legitimizing and funding the JOH narco-state and put forward demands for an investigation and transparency. . You can find the demands here. 

NOTE: Canadians should also send a copy of the letter below to their own Member of Parliament. You can look up the name of your MP here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en