By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Former President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez will plead not guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to U.S. Drug and Weapons charges on Tuesday. This is after he was extradited last month from Central America. His lawyer stated that.

U.S.prosecutors accuse Hernandez of being a former ally of the United States of accepting millions of dollars in drug traffickers’ payments for him to be protected from arrest during his time leading Honduras, 2014-January of this year. According to prosecutors, Hernandez was able to use the money for his personal gain and financial support during his presidential campaign.

He is facing three charges, including conspiracy to bring cocaine home and possession of weapons.

Hernandez denied all allegations and portrayed himself as an opponent to drug cartels. He also accused traffickers of trying to smear him in order for them revenge on Hernandez and reduce their sentences.

Raymond Colon represented Hernandez and said that Hernandez is innocent.

An American Attorney’s Office in Manhattan spokesperson declined to comment.

Hernandez is likely to plead guilty in an 11 AM EDT (1500 GMT), hearing before U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel.

Hernandez was arrested by Honduran authorities in response to an extradition request from the United States. This occurred one month after Hernandez’s departure as president. On April 21, Hernandez was taken to the United States by a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration aircraft from Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital. Hernandez was ordered detained in the United States by an American judge until his trial.

Hernandez’s older brother Tony Hernandez was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2021 for federal drug trafficking convictions in Manhattan.