Senate Bill Would Restrict Arms Exports to Honduras, Sanction President

A group of Senate Democrats released text this week of a bill that would sanction the president of Honduras and block certain exports to Honduran police and military groups. The bill, which was introduced in February, would authorize sanctions on Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez for corruption and human rights violations and potentially designate him as a narcotics trafficker. It would also block U.S. agencies from issuing export licenses for shipments to Honduras’ police or military for certain control defense items and services. The export restrictions would apply to goods controlled under the Arms Export Control Act, including tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons, handcuffs, tasers, certain firearms and other crowd-control items. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced the bill with co-sponsors Patrick Leahy, Vermont; Dick Durbin, Illinois; Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts; Bernie Sanders, Vermont; Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island; and Chris Van Hollen, Maryland.