The US has requested the extradition of former Honduran vice president Jaime Rosenthal, one of the nation’s biggest tycoons, whom it accuses of drug trafficking and money laundering, Tegucigalpa said on Saturday.
The US Department of the Treasury announced in October that it was targeting the 79-year-old, his son Yani and his nephew Yankel “for their money laundering and drug trafficking activities.”
“It’s not a day of joy for Honduras, it’s not even close to a day of joy for the Rosenthal family, we all regret and would prefer that it did not happen, but the extradition request is in,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Arturo Corrales told local media.
He added that the elder Rosenthal, who was vice president from 1986 to 1989, suffers from “serious illness” and pointed out that legal action is already pending in Honduras against the influential businessman.
According to the Public Ministry, the tycoon is suspected of “tax fraud and falsifying public documents,” accusations which reportedly have to do with meat imports from Brazil being falsely documented as US meat to avoid duties.
Yankel Rosenthal was arrested in Miami by US authorities on Oct. 6, one day before the Treasury made its announcement and has since been transferred to New York, where he faces more charges on the same offenses. Yani gave himself up to authorities in New York.
US authorities have linked the Rosenthals to the notorious Los Cachiros cartel and have imposed an asset freeze on the men and barred US companies from dealing with them, leading to the closure of a Honduras bank and a newspaper, both owned by the family.
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