Article: State Department Praises Decision to Extradite Colombian Drug Figure to U.S.

29 August 2001

Article: State Department Praises Decision to Extradite Colombian Drug Figure to U.S.

Extradition of Medellin cartel member called "positive step"

Washington -- The State Department says it welcomes the Colombian government's decision to extradite to the United States a member of Colombia's notorious Medellin drug-trafficking gang for his alleged involvement in providing cocaine, airplanes, smuggling routes and expertise to a group of drug traffickers.

Briefing reporters August 27, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called the decision to extradite Fabio Ochoa, who is in a prison in Bogota, a "positive step." Extradition is a "critical tool in combating transnational crime and preventing criminals from evading justice," said Boucher. "So we obviously would welcome this kind of decision."

Boucher said Ochoa's extradition had been under consideration and discussion for some time. The Colombian Supreme Court approved the extradition the week of August 20, and Colombian President Andres Pastrana signed an order August 27 authorizing the extradition of Ochoa to the United States, an official at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota said. Ochoa has five days to appeal the decision, the official said. If he does not appeal, Ochoa could be extradited to the United States as early as September 6, the official added. Ochoa was indicted in Miami for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Boucher also said the visit of Secretary of State Colin Powell to Colombia September 11-12 will concern the "misuse" of areas under the control of the country's largest rebel group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and "the way they have continued their activities, including indications that they were receiving terrorist training from the Irish Republican Army."

Boucher reiterated that Powell's trip will include discussions with Pastrana and Colombian government officials on the narcotics and security situation in that Andean country. Powell's visit followed an August 29-31 trip to Colombia by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman to underscore Washington's continuing support for Colombia's efforts against drug trafficking, to strengthen democratic institutions, and to promote social and economic development. Grossman's visit to Colombia follows his August 27-28 trip to Mexico, where he met with Mexican officials to discuss bilateral and regional issues.