The Colombian government confirmed Monday that it would not authorize the extradition to the U.S. of drug lord Daniel Rendon Herrera, alias “Don Mario,” backing the Colombian Supreme Court’s decision on the matter in March, reported Colombian media.
A Casa de Nariño press release stated that the Colombian government had decided to back the Supreme Court’s ruling last month to reject the U.S.’s extradition request for the former cartel leader.
The Colombian government agreed with the court that Don Mario’s extradition could damage the country’s ongoing Justice and Peace process, which offers former paramilitaries reduced sentences in exchange for their collaboration with justice. The drug trafficker has been participating in the process for several months.
Don Mario is thought to be associated with the Aguilas Negras, a paramilitary group that emerged after the demobilization of the AUC. He is said to have close ties to the Mexican drug mafia.
Since the beginning of his involvement in the process the drug lord has so far implicated 26 political leaders and an ex-congressman as having links with the paramilitaries.
Don Mario is wanted by the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York, on federal charges associated with drug trafficking and terrorism.