Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has authorized the extradition of a notorious former drug cartel leader to the United States where he is wanted on drug trafficking charges.
Mr. Uribe approved the extradition of Alberto Rodriguez Orejuela late Monday - less than a week after Colombia's Supreme Court authorized the move.
If Mr. Rodriguez Orejuela is convicted of drug charges in the United States, he will become the most powerful drug kingpin sentenced to a U.S. prison.
Mr. Rodriguez Orejuela and his brother Miguel led the powerful Cali drug cartel - which was the world's main supplier of cocaine.
Mr. Rodriguez Orejuela has been in a Colombian jail since 1995. At that time, extradition tothe United States was banned.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.