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Honduran prosecutors and the anti-corruption unit of the Organization of American States (OAS) have laid charges against 12 people for money laundering drug, as part of a Larger investigation on the administration of the former President Porfirio Lobo.
The OAS Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) said it has filed an injunction against "12 citizens accused of being part of of a scheme for the laundering of money from international drug trafficking via works subcontracted to the Honduran State ", most of which have not been carried out. "
Read more: Europol destroys a large European criminal gang
Of the 12 nominees, only five, including former public works officials and the son of Lobo, Fabio Porfirio Lobo.
The investigation was triggered by the testimony of Devis Leonel Rivera, leader of the drug cartel "Los Cachiros", who declared in US court that in 2009 he had donated money in the election campaign of Porfirio Lobo in exchange for contracts with the state.
According to MACCIH, once elected, Porfirio Lobo awarded 21 contracts worth 68.3 million lempiras ($ 2.8 million / 2.5 million euros) to the INRIMAR screen company created by Rivera.
"The works badigned by these contracts were for the most part not completed and even a part of the sums allocated to these contracts were collected only years later, because the award of these contracts was essentially aimed at giving prestige and to legitimize the INRIMAR company, launder money from international drug trafficking through this company, "said MACCIH.
Fabio Porfirio Lobo is serving a 24-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking.
Former President Porfirio Lobo was not on the list of 12, but he is currently under investigation as part of a larger investigation.
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Honduras: land of gangs and violence
One of the most violent countries in the world
Honduras has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. In 2011-2012, there were 86 homicides per 100,000 people. That accounted for 7,172 murders a year in a country of about 9 million inhabitants. In 2018, the homicide rate has dropped to 40 per 100,000 people, according to government statistics. By way of comparison, there were around 5,000 homicides in the EU in 2015, where the population is 500 million.
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Honduras: land of gangs and violence
Violence fueled by gangs
There are up to 40,000 gang members in Honduras. Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio-18 (members represented here) are the two major criminal groups engaged in fictitious clashes against drug and human trafficking, extortion and extortion. other criminal enterprises.
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Honduras: land of gangs and violence
Hunt people
The wave of violence, gang control and the erosion of state authority have pushed tens of thousands of people out of neighborhoods where funeral processions are commonplace. Many families fear that their children will be recruited into gangs as early as the age of 11. Many who can, will often try to make the difficult and difficult journey from Mexico to the United States.
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Honduras: land of gangs and violence
Existential threat
Violence and gang-fueled crime have torn apart Honduran society and state authority. According to a report by US National Defense University, the MS-13 has become a "criminal, economic, military, and political power that poses an existential threat" to the state of Honduras. The group has infiltrated the main state institutions, including the police, the army, the judiciary and the political system.
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Honduras: land of gangs and violence
Police patrols
In Honduras, MS-13 is known to have corrupted and infiltrated the local police. The group was developed with the help of police forces who allegedly targeted and cleaned up neighborhoods controlled by rival groups. Police and security forces fired for corruption have reportedly joined gangs or gang members.
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Honduras: land of gangs and violence
No justice
The corrupt and dysfunctional criminal system is fueling more violence. About 80% of homicides are not investigated and 96% are unresolved.
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Honduras: land of gangs and violence
Fleeing north
Thousands of Hondurans have tried to make the difficult journey north. Many are innocent civilians looking for a better and safer life. However, US authorities claim that some gang members are trying to infiltrate the United States. At the same time, an influx of gang members expelled from the United States reinforces the number of gangs in Honduras as they are incorporated into structures there.
cw / jm (AP, dpa, Reuters)
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