Colombia Extradites Former Cali Cartel Head and FARC Commander to the U.S.

On February 23, 2005, the Colombian Supreme Court authorized the extradition to the United States of Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela, a former head with his brother Gilberto of the Cali drug cartel. In addition, the Court approved the extradition of Omaira Rojas, a rebel commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), also on drug trafficking charges. In December 2004, Colombia extradited Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela to the U.S. The U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida has postponed his arraignment on two occasions due to the inability of Mr. Jose Quiñon, his counsel, to obtain permission from the Office of Foreign Assets Control to accept payment from the wife of Gilberto to represent Gilberto. Because OFAC has designated Mr. Rodríguez Orejuela as a narcotics kingpin, counsel must obtain permission to represent him...[more]