Honduras court postpones verdict in trafficking case linked to disappearance

A Honduran court has postponed its verdict in a trafficking case linked to Angie Pena's disappearance until November 20. The judiciary said it needed more time to review evidence and was awaiting the return of a court interpreter who was outside the country.

Four men are on trial on trafficking or criminal-association charges related to the case. Defence lawyers deny their involvement and have asked for acquittals. The delayed verdict means the court has not yet resolved those charges; the accusations should not be presented as established guilt.

Pena disappeared on January 1, 2022 after leaving West Bay on the island of Roatan on a jet ski during a family holiday. Authorities initially treated the incident as a possible accident at sea. The inquiry later widened into a trafficking investigation after the jet ski was found in Belize, about 170 kilometres away.

Prosecutors allege the accused were part of a network involved in drug trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors. They also allege help from police and at least one judge, without publicly naming those officials. Those allegations remain distinct from a final judicial finding.

Lawyers for Pena's family have questioned the transparency of an investigation and trial closed to the public and press. The killing of a protected witness in August has added to concern. Allegations that an investigative unit leaked information and had criminal links have been denied by its director, who also said the unit was not investigating Pena's disappearance.