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”.