Colombia, United States Hold Extradition Talks in Cartagena

Colombian and US officials met last week at the historic residence of the Marquis de Valdehoyos in Cartagena, Colombia for official talks titled “Consultations on Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance to be held between the United States and Colombia.”

The meeting was part of ongoing negotiations regarding judicial cooperation in criminal matters, to expedite procedures between Colombia and the US on extradition and legal assistance, share good practices and experiences, form working groups, and better collaborate against transnational crime.

This is the fourth in a series of annual meetings, the first two held in Bogotá, and last year’s in Washington, DC.

Attendees included:

• Prosecutor General of Colombia Fabio Espitia Garzón
• Minister of Justice Margarita Cabello Blanco
• Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Representatives of the US Department of Justice
• Representatives of the US Department of State
• Representatives of the US Legal Attaché Office (FBI)
• Representatives from Colombia’s Attorney General (Fiscalia)
• Vice Minister of Justice and Law Juan Francisco Espinosa Palacios
• Colombia’s Director of International Affairs
• Colombia’s Delegate against Organized Crime
• Colombia’s Delegate for Criminal Finance
• Colombia’s Special Director of Asset Forfeiture (Extinction del Derecho de Dominio)
• Advisers from the Directorate of International Affairs
• Advisors from the Directorate of Migration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Advisors from Colombia’s Consular Affairs section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Advisors from Colombia’s Citizens Services section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Casa del Marqués de Valdehoyos Photo credit: Cancillería de Colombia