'At Disney they are waiting for that rat': Iván Duque on the extradition of 'Otoniel'

It has been several days since President Iván Duque signed the extradition order of Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, alias Otoniel, a fact that led to the rejection of some sectors, who hope that the former leader of the Gulf Clan will be held accountable for the armed conflict and drug trafficking in the country. However, one of the main goals of the Colombian head of state after the capture of Úsuga, was to extradite him. Well, the national president once again commented on the subject and made a controversial comment.

After leaving the presentation of the Puerto Antioquia project, in the Gulf of Urabá, the national president showed that he is pleased with the process and already has his mind set next week, as it will be the time limit when 'Otoniel' can make the corresponding appeal to stop his extradition. Duque, highlighted several points and emphasized that, on this occasion, the Colombian justice won despite the fact that the drug traffickers believed otherwise.

Regarding the subject, he again used strong qualifiers against the captured, as he called him a “rat”. Before the media, the president said:

Similarly, the president pointed out that the process will take place in the United States, since it will be in that territory where he will have to pay for all crimes related to drug trafficking, among others. However, taking into account the Court's judgment, from that country he will have to continue to contribute to the Colombian justice system in the event that he is required, since the judicial document established that if requested, there must be cooperation between the two countries.

Duque also stressed that as soon as the extraditable pays his sentence in that country, he must return to Colombia to appear with the authorities and continue his pending proceedings in the nation. In turn, the national leader stressed that his struggle is tireless against drug trafficking and criminal groups, since he insisted that he would capture the rest of the Gulf Clan men, seeking to dismantle their main column.

The process of capturing alias' Otoniel 'took place on October 23, 2021, when in a joint operation between the Police, Air Force and the National Army, 22 helicopters and approximately 500 soldiers arrived in Cerro Yoki, in the rural area of the municipality of Necoclí, and neutralized the narco's safety rings, also known as alias 'Mauro'. This situation allowed the authorities to enter the area of incidence and manage to reduce Dairo Antonio Úsuga David.

Behind 'Otoniel' there are about 128 charges, because according to the Ministry of Defense its record stands out: extortion, homicide, drug trafficking, forced displacement, concert to commit crime, arms trafficking, formation of armed groups and crimes against humanity.

It is important to bear in mind that the extradition of drug traffickers has been controversial, since the victims demand that this process not be finalized yet, bearing in mind that the accused must appear and clarify the truth on national territory. At the time when Otoniel has tried to submit an inquiry to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, suspiciously the security forces guarding him have intervened and hindered the process. The same thing happened when the Truth Commission tried to count on his testimony.

KEEP READING: