A Honduran judge authorized on Wednesday the extradition of former president Juan Orlando Hernandez to the United States.

He faces drug-trafficking and firearms charges.

The decision was announced on the Twitter account of the Central American country’s judicial authority.

Juan Orlando Hernandez, who faces drug trafficking and firearms charges, has three days to appeal the decision.

Before his eight-year presidency, Hernandez led the country's Congress, taking a pro-US stance and supporting Washington’s fight against drug trafficking.

Hernández left office in January 2022 at the conclusion of his second term. 

U.S. authorities charged that the right-wing former leader participated in a drug-trafficking scheme between 2004 and 2022. Hernandez, 53, is also accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes to protect drug traffickers from investigation and prosecution, and carrying, using, or aiding and abetting the use of weapons.

Hernandez, who was replaced as president in January by leftist Xiomara Castro after eight years in office, has denied any wrongdoing.

Juan Orlando Hernandez, was arrested at his home on February 15 at the request of the U.S. government.

According to Reuters, he has been in custody since mid-February when he was arrested after a dramatic stake-out that saw him holed up in his home surrounded by police. He emerged hours later, pledging to cooperate with authorities.

Following his arrest, the former president was led before cameras flanked by police, shackled at the wrists and ankles, and wearing a bulletproof jacket.