Honduras judge says ex-president Juan Orlando Hernández can be extradited to U.S.

Former President Juan Orlando Hernández should be extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking and weapons charges, a Honduran judge ruled Wednesday.

Before the decision was announced, court spokesman Melvin Duarte said that during a hearing earlier in the day, Hernández addressed the court. "In general terms he argued about the motives that have led to this extradition process against him, which he and his wife have said publicly," Duarte said.

Hernández has maintained that statements against him have been made by drug traffickers extradited by his government who wanted to seek revenge against him. He has denied any ties to drug traffickers.