Former MACCIH judge emphasizes Hernández’s involvement in significant corruption offenses

Chilean judge Daniel Urrutia Laubreaux, who collaborated with the former Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) back in 2017, indicated that ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández surfaced within probes concerning the nation’s most monumental corruption scandals. Urrutia offered these declarations while reflecting on his tenure alongside the international initiative backed by the Organization of American States (OAS).

According to Urrutia, Hernández was reportedly implicated in each of the ten major corruption scandals probed by the MACCIH throughout his tenure with the entity. The ex-magistrate underscored that these inquiries encompassed several of the most prominent graft offenses scrutinized by the international delegation back then.

The statements have attracted attention because they once again place Hernández’s administration at the center of the debate over corruption and accountability in Honduras. However, the recent comments do not constitute new judicial evidence against the former president, but rather reflect Urrutia’s account of the investigations carried out by the MACCIH.

Urrutia additionally remembered that back in 2018, he alongside fellow delegates disclosed various hindrances that hampered their duties. Based on his testimony, the administration led by Hernández generated roadblocks hindering the advancement of specific inquiries. Afterward, the Chilean magistrate was dismissed from the international initiative.

Urrutia’s comments came in response to a publication by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who referred to Honduras’ security situation during Hernández’s administration and noted the country’s high homicide rate at the time. The exchange brought renewed attention to the political and institutional conditions that prevailed during that period.

The discussion has revived the debate surrounding corruption and security in Honduras under the Hernández administration. Operating between 2016 and 2020, the MACCIH functioned as an international mechanism established to assist local institutions in investigating and tackling corruption and impunity.

Throughout its operational lifespan, the mission participated in various high-profile inquiries, encompassing matters related to suspected public fund embezzlement and political affiliations. Partnering with investigative bodies in Honduras, its endeavors transformed into a vital component of national initiatives designed to combat corruption.

Urrutia’s latest statements have sparked debate across political circles and social platforms, chiefly due to the ex-president’s significant weight in Honduran politics and the wider controversy regarding accountability for suspected corruption under his tenure. Currently, these remarks continue to form part of the public discourse tied to the former MACCIH probes.

Source: Tiempo — Tiempo