[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States has requested the Honduran government to arrest and extradite former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is accused of involvement in drug-related crimes.
Major foreign media outlets reported on the 14th (local time), citing anonymous sources, that "the United States has requested the arrest of former President Hernandez for the purpose of extradition."
Hernandez, who stepped down in January, is accused of colluding with drug traffickers.
About 100 police officers surrounded the area around former President Hernandez's residence on the same day.
The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, and the government did not make any specific comments regarding this matter.
Former President Hernandez is known to deny any connections with drug traffickers.
Hernandez's legal representative told local media, "As a member of the Central American Parliament, he has immunity, so the arrest is illegal," and criticized, "The U.S. and Honduran governments are trying to trample on former President Hernandez's rights."
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Hernandez was listed last July on the U.S. government's list of 'corrupt and undemocratic actors.'
At that time, the U.S. State Department stated, "According to multiple reliable media reports, Hernandez was significantly involved in corruption by committing acts of corruption and drug trafficking or using money related to illegal activities for political activities."
Last year, during the trial of Hernandez's brother on drug trafficking charges, U.S. prosecutors referred to Hernandez as a co-conspirator in the case and raised suspicions that he used bribes received from drug traffickers for his presidential campaign.
Foreign media reported, "The U.S. judiciary sentenced Hernandez's brother, who was charged with drug trafficking, to life imprisonment plus an additional 30 years in prison."
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