Colombians want U.S. soldiers accused of arms trafficking to face justice in Colombia
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Two American soldiers accused of arms trafficking emerged from jail Thursday and were handed over to U.S. officials, but a top Colombian official tried to delay their deportation, saying a treaty granting them immunity might be invalid. Inspector General Edgardo Jose Maya’s move reflected a widespread sentiment among Colombians that the two U.S. Army soldiers should face trial in Colombia. They were arrested Tuesday in connection with an alleged plot to smuggle more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition, possibly to outlawed right-wing paramilitary death squads responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians. Maya asked for a 24-hour extension before the two are deported so a 1974 treaty that purportedly gives them diplomatic immunity can be examined. The treaty might be superseded by Colombia’s 1991 Constitution and other laws, he said. “In defense of the letter of the law, this Public Ministry believes it is important to analyze the situation in the face of the treaties and the supremacy of the Constitution,” Maya wrote in a letter to Colombian Attorney General Luis Camilo Osorio, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. The case is being closely watched by Colombians frustrated by accusations of law-breaking by American soldiers. The U.S. has given more than $3 billion in aid to Colombia and the mission of U.S. troops here is to help stamp out drug trafficking and guerrillas. Hundreds of Colombians accused of drug trafficking have been extradited to the United States to face trial as part of President Alvaro Uribe’s get-tough measures. But Colombians were aghast in March when five U.S. soldiers accused of smuggling cocaine to the United States from Colombia were flown to their homeland and detained there. No details of that case have been publicly disclosed. More : signonsandiego.com |