New York, May 12 (RHC)-- Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has pleaded not guilty to drug and gun charges, including conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and using and carrying machine guns. Protesters gathered outside the federal court where Hernández appeared after he was extradited to the U.S. last month.

An organizer of the protests in New York, José Cruz, told reporters: “I took part in the protests before this man was behind bars.  And it makes me happy that all our community is here celebrating.  He caused so much destruction in Honduras.  The decisions he took were not correct. You can see the millions of Honduran migrants who are here.  During his time in office, there were thousands who left as a result of his decisions and injustices.”

Hernández was arrested in February, less than a month after his presidential term ended.  He was a longtime U.S. ally who received Washington's full backing during his entire eight-year term, despite mounting reports of serious human rights violations and accusations of corruption and involvement with drug smuggling.