Colombia’s foreign minister is ready to request the extradition of Colombia’s former intelligence chief from Panama, she told press after a visit to that country Thursday.
Hurtado was granted asylum in November 2010 and quickly left Colombia before an arrest warrant could be brought against her. Panama’s decision to grant Hurtado asylum was criticized by Colombian officials, Panamanian lawyers and students, and former president of Panama Martin Torrijos.
The Panamanian government received Holguin, but indicated that it was not likely to reverse its decision to grant Hurtado asylum. Vice Foreign Minister of Panama Juan Carlos Varela said that the decision to grant asylum would be maintained and that it rested entirely on the initial evaluation made last November. “The president made a decision, took a position, and that is the position of this country,” said Varela.
Holguin said “we respect the asylum” and that she is waiting for the prosecutor General’s Office to officially file the request for extradition.
Since 2009, members of Alvaro Uribe’s administration have been under investigation for illegally wiretapping judges, politicians, journalists, and political activists. Five DAS officials have already been arrested for their part in the wiretapping scandal.