No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveGuatemalan court approves extradition to U.S. of former President Alfonso Portillo

Guatemalan court approves extradition to U.S. of former President Alfonso Portillo

GUATEMALA CITY – U.S. officials applauded a Thursday ruling by a Guatemalan court that allows former President Alfonso Portillo (2000-2004) to be extradited to the United States on charges of laundering some $70 million of allegedly embezzled foreign donations.

Guatemala’s Constitutional Court ruled that Portillo can be extradited, but can’t be sent to a U.S. facility for violent offenders.

In a statement Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala said the decision reflects the progress that Guatemala’s government is making against impunity.

Last November, Former President Álvaro Colom (2008-2012) authorized the extradition of Portillo after a Guatemalan court agreed to the U.S. request.

Portillo’s attorneys sought the annulment of the court’s authorization, claiming that the former president’s life would  be in danger if he were sent to the U.S.

Portillo is also charged in a New York federal court with money laundering and embezzling $1.5 million donated by Taiwan to buy schoolbooks for Guatemalan children.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s New Extradition Law Faces Limits in Tackling Organized Crime

Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly passed a constitutional amendment in May, allowing the extradition of nationals for international drug trafficking and terrorism. With 44 of...

Costa Rica’s Bold Plan to End Plastic Pollution by 2040

On World Environment Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for action to tackle plastic pollution, a crisis clogging rivers, oceans, and wildlife worldwide. “By...

Costa Rica Fights Drug Trafficking as Transit Hub Despite Resource Strains

Costa Rica remains a key route for drugs heading to North America, despite efforts to crack down on trafficking. The U.S. Department of State’s...

Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras Advance to Final Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras advanced early this Saturday to the final round of the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 North American World Cup,...

Fuego Volcano Forces Evacuations in Guatemala Amid Ashfall and Pyroclastic Flows

At least 330 people were evacuated on Thursday in Guatemala following an eruption of the Fuego volcano, located 35 km from the capital, according...

How a Costa Rican Forest Turned My Bad Day Around with Wildlife Wonders

It happened as soon as I hung up. I was immediately grumpy. I had just completed a video call about wildlife monitoring services with...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica