Colombia: Suspected drug lord will be sent to Venezuela, not U.S.
By the CNN Wire Staff
November 16, 2010 10:25 a.m. EST
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The United States also had wanted the extradition of Walid Makled
- He was indicted in New York last week on cocaine-trafficking charges
- Venezuela wants him on murder and drug-trafficking charges
(CNN) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Tuesday a high-level drug-trafficking suspect wanted in the United States will be extradited to Venezuela, which also has asked that he be turned over to authorities in that country.
Walid Makled, suspected of being one of the world's top drug lords, will be sent to Venezuela once the proper legal requirements are met in Colombia, Santos said in a news conference marking his first 100 days in office.
Venezuela wants Makled on murder and drug-trafficking charges.
Makled was indicted in the United States on charges that he trafficked tons of cocaine into the country. The United States attorney for the Southern District of New York unsealed the indictment on November 4.
But Santos said he received the extradition request from Venezuela first, the state-run National Radio of Colombia reported Tuesday. Santos said he gave his word to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that Makled would be sent to the neighboring South American nation.
"I am a man of my word," Santos said Tuesday.
Makled, 47, fled Venezuela and was arrested in Colombia in August. He has said he paid bribes of more than $1 million a month to Venezuelan government authorities and military officials. Chavez has denied those allegations.
