Public parade of former president handcuffed for collaborating with cocaine gangs (photos)

Juan Orlando Hernandez ended his term in office just three weeks ago but was banned at US request for links to drug cartels.

He was escorted by police from his home in chains and a bulletproof vest to the police station in the capital Tegucigalpa.

The arrest was broadcast on national television and even Hernandez was examined by doctors in front of the cameras, before being sent to the cell.

Former right-wing President Hernandez is accused of helping trafficking gangs smuggle tons of cocaine from Colombia to Venezuela, which were then shipped to the United States between 2004 and 2022.

He is believed to have taken millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for protecting traffickers from the prosecution, which he is believed to have used to fund his political campaigns.

His extradition request also included charges of weapons and trafficking in combat armaments.

Hernandez, 53, was ousted as president last month by left-wing Xiomara Castro. He has vowed to co-operate with authorities but denies the allegations.

His home was surrounded yesterday by about 100 police officers following the approval of his extradition request from the US.

Henandez’s lawyers argue that he has immunity from prosecution after he became a member of the Central American Parliament shortly after leaving office on January 27th.

But the immunity granted by the group of six nations of the region may be withdrawn at the request of the country of origin.

The extradition request from Washington comes in stark contrast to some time ago when the US said Hernandez had been a vital ally in Central America during his eight years in power.

Last year a U.S. judge sentenced Hernandez’s brother to life in prison for drug trafficking in the case where the former president was declared an accomplice.

The former president of Honduras was released today in a ‘parade of shame’ handcuffed and chained, after being arrested for collaborating with gangs