Chilean judge Daniel Urrutia Laubreaux, who was part of the now-defunct Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) in 2017, stated that former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández appeared in the investigations into the country’s most significant corruption cases. Urrutia made the remarks while discussing his experience with the international mission supported by the Organization of American States (OAS).
According to Urrutia, Hernández was allegedly mentioned in all ten of the major corruption cases being investigated by the MACCIH during his time with the organization. The former judge emphasized that the investigations involved some of the most significant corruption offenses under examination by the international mission at the time.
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 government. The MACCIH operated in the country from 2016 to 2020 as an international mechanism designed to support national institutions in investigating and combating corruption and impunity.
The mission was involved in several high-profile investigations during its years of operation, including cases involving alleged misuse of public funds and political networks. Its work, carried out alongside Honduran investigative authorities, became an important part of the country’s efforts to address corruption.
Urrutia’s latest statements have generated discussion among political sectors and on social media, particularly because of the former president’s prominent role in Honduran politics and the broader debate over accountability for alleged corruption during his administration. At this point, the statements remain part of the public discussion surrounding the former MACCIH investigations.
Source: Tiempo — Tiempo
