Honduran official says ex-president Hernandez to be extradited to U.S. next week – Reuters Canada

A police vehicle stands guard in front of the residence of Juan Orlando Hernandez after the Public Ministry seized properties and cars of the former president, following the Supreme Court of Honduras authorizing on Monday his extradition to the United States where he is wanted on drug trafficking and firearms charges, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez

TEGUCIGALPA, April 13 (Reuters) – Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez will be extradited next week to the United States, where he faces drug trafficking and firearms charges, Honduran Security Minister Ruben Sabillon said on Wednesday.

“The extradition will happen next week,” Sabillon said. “We have to get in touch with U.S. authorities for his surrender,” Sabillon told TV news channel HCH.

The Central American country’s Supreme Court last month authorized Hernandez’s extradition.

The 53-year-old former leader is accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes to protect drug traffickers from investigation and prosecution. read more

Hernandez has been in police custody since mid-February, when he was arrested after a dramatic stakeout that left him holed up in his home. He emerged hours later, pledging to cooperate with authorities.

Reporting by Gustavo Palencia; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Daina Beth Solomon and Alistair Bell

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