Guatemala: Mexico to
Decide if US Gets Ex-Leader
GUATEMALA (AP) - 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.
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