Despite rumors that one of Colombia’s most notorious drug lords would be set free, local media on Thursday reported that “Mi Sangre” will actually most likely be extradited to the United States.
An Argentine news website early Thursday morning suggested that Henry de Jesus Lopez Londoño, alias “Mi Sangre,” known as a top commander and financier of the Colombian drug gang, “Los Urabaños,” may be released from jail on December 30 if a formal request for extradition was not issued by U.S. authorities. According to local media, however, Carlos Olita, Mi Sangre’s lawyer, confirmed that the state attorney’s office of Florida officially submitted a request for the drug lord’s extradition.
Mi Sangre is expected to remain in Argentine jail until an extradition trial concludes. The United States had an open arrest warrant against him, but authorities still had to formally submit a request to Argentine courts for the gang leader’s extradition. Supposedly, Mi Sangre will next be shipped to Colombia to await U.S. extradition or he will be sent directly to Florida from Argentina. Olita, who reportedly called the case against his client “political persecution,” said the extradition process could take as long as six months.
Mi Sangre was arrested in Buenos Aires on October 30 capping off a surgical, multinational operation to bring down the man who allegedly financed and helped lead one of the most ruthless of all Colombian drug gangs.