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Crime

Former Honduran president willing to cooperate with U.S. extradition request

U.S. authorities seek Juan Orlando Hernández for alleged links to "drug trafficking and corruption."

February 15, 2022 1:14pm

Updated: February 15, 2022 2:09pm

Honduran ex-president Juan Orlando Hernández said on Tuesday that he is willing to cooperate with U.S. authorities after requesting his extradition on drug trafficking charges.

Hernandez, who ended his term in office a few weeks ago, issued a statement on Twitter saying he was willing to "collaborate and come voluntarily" to court. The former president has rejected the accusations against him.

"It is not an easy moment. I do not wish it on anyone, but also the purpose of this message is that the National Police, through my representatives, has already received the message that I am ready and willing to collaborate and voluntarily arrive with their accompaniment at the moment that the natural judge appointed by the honorable Supreme Court of Justice so decides, to be able to face this situation and defend myself," Hernandez said.

The extradition request for the former president is a part of an in-depth DEA investigation into drug trafficking in Honduras, which prosecutors have described as "state-sponsored drug trafficking".

Police officers surrounded Hernández's home on Monday, when the United States "requested the provisional detention of the former president for extradition purposes," a Honduran government official told Reuters.

Dozens of people arrived at the house with banners to celebrate the extradition request, while Hernandez's lawyers condemned the police for preventing his advisors from accessing the place.

U.S. authorities are seeking to extradite the former president for his alleged links to acts of "drug trafficking and corruption."

The drug trafficking conspiracy charge carries a possible life sentence.

Hernández has not been seen in public since leaving office. He did not attend the inauguration of current Honduran President Xiomara Castro.

Fast-File Reporter

Marielbis Rojas

Marielbis Rojas is a Venezuelan journalist and communications professional with a degree in Social Communication from UCAB. She is a news reporter for ADN America.