Alvaro Cordobabrother of the Colombian senator Piedad Cordobawas handed over to DEA agents to be transferred to the United States where he will be tried for the crime of drug trafficking.
Arrested on February 4, 2022 in the El Poblado neighborhood of Medellín, this subject remained locked up in La Picota prison, in Bogotá, until January 19, when his extradition took place, upon being required by the Southern District Court. of New York “on the charge of conspiracy to import narcotics.”
Through a covert operation coordinated with the DEA, Álvaro was recorded in several meetings where a confidential source told him that he was seeking protection within Colombia to smuggle up to three tons of cocaine to New York via Mexico.
According to DEA Special Agent Matthew Passmore, Córdoba put the source in contact with an associate who he told he had a large quantity of “chickens,” allegedly in reference to cocaine.
The defendant also offered to arrange for the DEA source to visit a clandestine camp in the jungles of southern Colombiawhere 300 guerrillas armed with surface-to-air missiles and other weapons would take charge of ensuring the passage of the narcotics.
This case generated great controversy in Colombia, since the extradition request was made when the president Gustavo Petro He had been head of state for a few days, and everyone questioned whether he would approve the transfer of the brother of one of his allies.
In September 2022, after pressure from the opposition, public opinion, and the members of the Historical Pact themselves, President Gustavo Petro signed the extradition order for Álvaro Córdoba.
For her part, Senator Piedad Córdoba has said that her brother has no relationship with drug trafficking or armed groups, and He added that they are the target of a manhunt similar to the one that overthrew the head of the Medellín Cartel, Pablo Escobar.decades ago.
“Enough of the political persecution against me and my family. Neither my brother Álvaro Córdoba nor I have any relationship with drug trafficking or armed groups. I challenge that the evidence that supports this new judicial assembly be shown ”, he had declared.
However, according to the Efe news agency, Piedad is accused of having ties to the Colombian businessman Álex Saabimprisoned in the United States, accused of being a figurehead for the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.
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