MACACO EXTRADITION EXPECTED SOON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001266 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR WHA/AND E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER SNAR PGOV CO SUBJECT: MACACO EXTRADITION EXPECTED SOON Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Vice Minister of Interior and Justice Carlos Reyes told us United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) leader Carlos Mario Jimenez Naranjo, alias "Macaco," will soon be extradited to the United States. Jimenez will be the first high-level AUC leader and participant in the Justice and Peace Law (JPL) to be extradited. Meanwhile, JPL judge Alvaro Ceron is opposed to the extradition; victims' lawyer says they will pursue civil litigation against Jimenez in the United States The GOC has extradited 50 individuals to the U.S. in 2008, ahead of last year's record pace. End Summary -------------- FIRST HIGH LEVEL AUC LEADER TO BE EXTRADITED -------------- ¶2. (C) The GOC is moving to rapidly extradite AUC leader Carlos Mario Jimenez Naranjo ("Macaco") to the United States. Vice Minister of Interior and Justice Guillermo Reyes informed us on April 3 that President Uribe was expected to sign the resolution the same day. Reyes said he anticipated the actual extradition would take place the week of April 14. To avoid the possibility of a court injunction prohibiting the extradition, the GOC plans to extradite Jimenez within 24 hours of the final order being signed. This is the first extradition of a high level paramilitary leader and participant in the JPL. -------------- PUBLIC DEBATE CONTINUES -------------- ¶3. (U) After the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Jimenez' extradition, President Uribe announced April 1 that he would approve the extradition resolution. Uribe reiterated that those who fulfill their JPL obligations need not fear extradition. In August 2007, the GOC announced Jimenez would be removed from the JPL process, because of his ongoing criminal activity in violation of the JPL. Still, a subsequent court ruling reinstated Jimenez in the JPL process. On March 28, Barranquilla JPL judge Alvaro Ceron said that Jimenez' extradition would deny victims the right to reparations and the truth. The GOC maintains that the courts cannot limit the executive's authority to extradite. Victims' lawyer Ivan Cepeda said the victims would seek redress through U.S. courts if Jimenez were extradited. -------------- -------------- EXTRADITION AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF GOC STRATEGY -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) The GOC considers extradition to be a significant tool in its counter-drug and counter-terror policies. The GOC has extradited 50 individuals to the United States so far this year, and 23 more individuals are to be extradited by April 24. The GOC has subordinated the extradition cases of fourteen AUC members, pending their full compliance with the terms of the peace process. In 2007, the GOC extradited a record number of 164 individuals to the United States. BROWNFIELD