Miami, June 13 (RHC-teleSUR)-- Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was arrested Monday as he was entering his home in Miami, and faces extradition to the Central American nation. 

Panama's Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for Martinelli in December 2015 after he failed to turn up at a Panamanian court hearing on his case.  Martinelli's administration has long been dogged by corruption allegations. 

Following accusations of having used government funds to spy illegally on more than 150 political rivals, Panama sent the U.S. State Department an extradition request for him in 2016, as he was living in Miami after fleeing the country when Panama's Supreme Court opened an investigation into him. 

Interpol also issued an arrest warrant for Martinelli in May for the political espionage charges.