Pubdate: Thu, 25 Nov 1999
Source: Reuters
Copyright: 1999 Reuters Limited.
Copyright: 1996-1999 Reuters Limited.
Author: Karl Penhaul
Resource: additional articles on Latin America are available at 
http://www.mapinc.org/latin.htm

COLOMBIA EXTRADITES CALI DRUG KINGS' REPUTED CRONY

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian authorities on Thursday extradited a suspected 
Venezuelan drug trafficker who could be the key to Washington's attempt to 
try Colombia's undisputed cocaine kings, the Rodriguez Orejuela brothers, 
in a U.S. court.

Fernando Jose Flores, 38, nicknamed the Fat Man, is the second alleged drug 
smuggler extradited this week. He is accused of shipping more than 3-1/2 
tons of cocaine to Florida, packed in concrete fence posts.

He was reputedly a crony of the Rodriguez Orejuelas, who have been serving 
time in a Bogota prison since their capture in mid-1995.

Flores has said he fears U.S. officials will force him to give evidence 
against the Rodriguezes, former kingpins of the notorious Cali drug mob who 
were once blamed for 80 percent of the world's cocaine traffic.

Colombia banned the extradition of Colombian citizens in 1991 after Pablo 
Escobar, then capo of the Medellin cartel, waged a bloody campaign of 
bombings, murders and kidnappings. Escobar was killed in 1993 during a 
shootout with police on a Medellin rooftop.

Under intense U.S. pressure, Colombia's Congress lifted the ban in December 
1997, but the measure only covers crimes committed after that date.

First Extradition Since 1990

No Colombian had been sent abroad for trial since 1990 until Sunday's 
extradition of suspected heroin trafficker Jaime Orlando Lara, 30.

The extradition of foreign nationals was never suspended. But after Flores' 
capture in August 1998, he argued that he was a Colombian citizen and his 
crimes were committed before the resumption of the extradition treaty with 
the United States.

Flores was bundled aboard a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration jet at a 
Bogota police airport after extensive medical checks. Just 5 foot 6 inches 
tall but weighing some 308 pounds (140 kg), Flores has heart problems.

Under the gaze of scores of heavily armed police officers, he crossed the 
runway with tubes from a small oxygen canister in his nose to help him 
breathe. He was not handcuffed, but police officers gripped his arms.

Neither Flores nor police chiefs made any statement at the airport. But in 
an interview published this week by Semana, a leading magazine, Flores 
voiced fears about his imminent extradition.

"With threats, psychological torture ... I will sign whatever (U.S. 
officials) put in front of me so that they get what they want -- the 
extradition of the Rodriguezes," he said.

Request Was Rejected In 1996

Colombia rejected an extradition request for the Rodriguezes in mid-1996. 
U.S. authorities, however, say that the two men have continued to run their 
criminal empire from behind bars and could be liable for extradition for 
acts committed after December 1997.

A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Bogota said he was not aware that any 
fresh request for the Rodriguezes was pending.

Both men were convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to terms that 
could see them freed from Bogota's top security La Picota prison in less 
than 10 years. If ever tried in the United States, the Rodriguezes could 
expect much stiffer sentences, possibly even multiple life terms.

Colombian authorities have warned that the resumption of extradition ties 
with the United States could spark a violent backlash by the country's drug 
mobs.

Two weeks ago, seven people were killed by a car bomb in northern Bogota in 
an attack that police blamed on either drug traffickers or Marxist 
guerrillas. There have, however, been no attacks since then.

President Andres Pastrana has strengthened ties with the United States 
since he took office in August 1998. The U.S. Congress is expected to give 
approval early next year to moves to boost mainly military and anti-drug 
aid to Colombia to some $1.5 billion over three years.

Up to 50 people, including Fabio Ochoa, a former henchman to Pablo Escobar, 
are on a list of alleged drug traffickers who could be extradited soon.

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