An anti-corruption mission in Honduras investigates the ex-president for touching money from drugs

By Gustavo Palencia

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Former Honduran President Porfirio Lobo is under investigation for suspicion of involvement in the laundering of illegal drugs as part 39, a more thorough investigation of its administration from 2010 to 2014, announced Friday an international mission to fight against corruption.

The anti-corruption unit of the Organization of American States (OAS) said that the investigation into Lobo began after Devis Leonel Rivera, leader of the drug cartel "Los Cachiros", testified before a US court to have donated money for the 2010 elections in Lobo. campaign.

Rivera said that Lobo "suggested to him that in exchange for donations for his political campaign, they would create companies that would be awarded contracts once he would have won the presidential election," he said. said Luiz Guimaraes, spokesman for the Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity. in Honduras (MACCIH), told reporters.

Lobo said at a press conference at his home in Tegucigalpa that he had never dealt with "these criminals".

"I have never received money from criminals, nor had private meetings with them," Lobo said.

The charge was reported when MACCIH said it was investigating 12 people, including a former minister, Fabio, Lobo's son, and Rivera, suspected of laundering drug money, in a case dubbed "Narcopolitica." "by the mission.

Lobo was not part of the 12, but an investigation was underway as part of a wider investigation, said Guimaraes, a Brazilian.

Prosecutors estimate that the money laundered in this case has pbaded through 21 public works contracts for companies created by Los Cachiros with the Ministry of Public Works for an estimated amount of 68.3 million lempiras (2.2 million pounds sterling), according to the indictment.

Most of the work has never been done, noted Guimaraes.

Investigators believe that Fabio Lobo, sentenced in 2017 to a 24-year prison sentence by a federal court for drug trafficking, has ensured that Los Cachiros wins the contracts.

Former Lobo Public Works Minister Miguel Pastor, along with two other officials accused by MACCIH, surrendered to prosecutors on Thursday evening in Tegucigalpa.

(Report by Gustavo Palencia, edited by G Crosse and Grant McCool)