Guatemala: Mexico must approve extradition of ex-president to face US money laundering case
By APThursday, January 28, 2010
Guatemala: Mexico to decide if US gets ex-leader
GUATEMALA CITY — A lawyer for former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo said Thursday that neighboring Mexico did not properly approve his arrest, a move necessary under the ex-leader’s 2008 extradition from Mexico back home.
Portillo now faces possible extradition to the United States to face money laundering charges. That move will also require Mexico’s approval.
Treaties allow extradition only for a stated purpose, and the 2008 extradition from Mexico sent Portillo back to face corruption charges in Guatemala, where he was freed on bail.
Portillo’s lawyer, Humberto Castillejos, said Mexico’s ambassador to Guatemala approved the detention of the former leader Tuesday on the U.S. extradition request, but the attorney argued that was not legally sufficient.
Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department disagreed. It said Wednesday that Mexico properly gave consent for Portillo’s detention.
The department also said that sending Portillo to the United States would require a separate approval from Mexico, but it said no request for permission had yet been received.
