Hernandez denies counts

New York: Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez yesterday pleaded not guilty to US drug and weapons charges, in Manhattan federal court, following his extradition last month from the Central American country.

US prosecutors have accused Hernandez, a former US ally, of receiving millions of dollars from drug traffickers, in exchange for protection from arrest, while leading Honduras from 2014 until January this year.

Hernandez faces three criminal counts, including conspiracy to import cocaine and weapons possession.

Hernandez has portrayed himself as a fierce opponent of drug cartels and accused traffickers of smearing him to get revenge and lighten their sentences. — Reuters