Colombia's Supreme Court on Wednesday made the decision to reject the United States' extradition request for former drug lord "Don Mario," in favor of his participation in the country's Justice and Peace process, reported Colombian media.
The alleged drug kingpin is sought by the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York, requiring him to respond to federal crimes associated with drug trafficking and terrorism.
Colombian courts rejected the request, however, saying that the former paramilitary is needed in his native country to take part in the ongoing Justice and Peace process, which offers former paramilitaries a reduced sentences in exchange for collaborating with justice.
Since the beginning of his involvement in the process "Don Mario" has so far implicated 26 more political leaders and an ex-congressman in parapolitics.
The Colombian Supreme Court is also expected to this week make a decision on whether to approve the extradition request of former paramilitary boss and brother of "Don Mario" Freddy Rendon Herrera, alias "El Aleman".
Compatriota
said:
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... It is critical that the young colombians who are former paras have an example and someone who has a lot of respect that can move them towards reintergration programs so that they can move on with their lives and become productive to their families and themselves. Sending one powerful man who has many connections to prison does nothing compared to what he can do to help his young people from following the same path that he did when he was a troubled young man. Doctors, teachers, future leaders will be created by this man just by telling young colombians who will listen to him not to take the easy path. The colombian youth need colombian mentors, even though the US sees Don Mario as a prisoner, many see him as a product of a disfunctional socity. Where young people who grew up as Don Mario have few options. It is time they have the options everyone else in our part of the world has. |
