The former head of the armed forces of HondurasRomeo Vásquez, spoke after being included in the list of the ten most wanted in the country by the Interpol.
According to the ex -military, this action responds to a political persecution and a “revenge” against him for having defended the Constitution during the Status of June 28, 2009.
“I fulfilled my duty as a soldier and citizen. I did it for Honduras, out of respect for the law and for the love of my country”he said.
“I don’t hide, defending the homeland is not a crime”
From an unknown whereabouts, Vásquez issued a statement in which he rejected the accusation against him.
“Today I appear in a list of the 10 most wanted in Honduras. They offer reward for my whereabouts, as if telling the truth out of crime. But I don’t hide. I am not afraid because defending the homeland has never been a crime.”he said.
Vásquez led the Joint General Staff of the Armed Forces when the then Honduran President, Manuel Zelayahe was overthrown and expelled from the country in June 2009.
Days later, on July 5, Zelaya tried to return by air, and during a demonstration in the Toncontín airportin Tegucigalpaa young man identified as ISIS OBED MURILLO He died after being shot in the head.
For this fact, the Public Ministry of Honduras accused Vásquez and two other retired generals, Venancio Cervantes and Carlos Roberto Puertowho face a trial for homicide and Homicide in attempt against another protester, Alex Roberto Zavala.
Interpol’s capture and reward order
The three military was arrested January 5, 2024 and sent to the National Penitentiary close to Tegucigalpa. However, a week later they obtained house arrest.
He March 3the Criminal Court He revoked this measure and ordered his return to prison. While Cervantes and Puerto voluntarily delivered the March 18Vásquez’s whereabouts is still unknown.
This Saturday, the Interpol He included Vásquez in his list of the most wanted, along with other Hondurans indicated by drug trafficking.
In addition, Interpol offered a reward for 500 thousand lempiras (about US $ 19,530) for information that leads to your capture.
Vásquez denounces political persecution
In his statement, Vásquez insisted that his only action was to obey an order of the Supreme Court of Justice to stop what he described as an illegal attempt to impose a Constituent Assembly inspired by models of Cuba and Venezuela.
“I fulfilled my duty as a soldier and citizen. I did it for Honduras, out of respect for the law and for the love of my country”he said.
He also denounced that, while he is persecuted, others linked to corruption and drug trafficking receive protection.
“Meanwhile, those who have been indicated by negotiating with drug trafficking, appearing in narcovideos and looting the country into trucks, are protected, awarded and armored by a political amnesty that frees corrupt and traitors,”he said.
In addition, he called on international organizations such as OASthe UN and the IACHR to intervene and require guarantees about their Life, Freedom and Human Rights.
Prosecutor denies political persecution
He Public Ministry De Honduras has insisted that the process against the three military does not respond to political motivations.
According to the prosecution, investigations have determined that the July 5, 2009the armed forces fired with high caliber rifles against protesters who exercised their right to protest.
For its part, the State Attorney General, Johel Zelayahe said that the trial against Vásquez and the other ex -military It is not a political persecutionbut a judicial process based on proven facts.
It should be remembered that former president Manuel Zelaya was dismissed in 2009 while promoting a popular consultation that several organs of the State considered unconstitutional.