The United States demanded the "urgent appeal" of the decision that restricts the extradition of Jesús Santrich, former head of the FARC

The United States on Thursday lamented the first instance decision of a peace court limiting the extradition of Jesús Santrich, a former FARC guerrilla leader, accused of drug trafficking. asked for his "urgent call".

In a statement, the US Embbady warned that she "takes note" of the decision of the appointed magistrates to try the most serious crimes committed during the protracted conflict with the FARC, before signing peace in November 2016.

"We consider this decision regrettable", said the diplomatic representation and pointed out that the United States "complied with the requirements" to obtain the extradition of Santrich, former peace negotiator and prisoner in Bogotá under the accusation of conspiring to send cocaine into this country after the signing of the agreement.

"The United States considers that an appeal is essential and urgent"said the embbady.

On Wednesday, the judges ordered the immediate release of Santrich – a measure that has not yet taken effect – alleging that they had not received any evidence from the United States that would have presumed the former rebel leader of a crime committed after the signing of the pact. the peace

The Office of the Attorney General, the body that oversees the actions of officials, announced that he would appeal the decision please Santrich, who has always defended his innocence and attributes these accusations to a montage of the Colombian prosecutor and the United States.

For its part, the Washington Embbady warned that "no decision in the future" will change "the fact that a grand jury" in New York has accused Santrich "for agreeing to send 10,000 kilograms of cocaine to the United States between June 2017 and April 2018".

Annoyed by the decision, the Attorney General of Colombia, Néstor Humberto Martínez, decided Wednesday to resign from his post, while President Ivan Duque declared himself "indignant" by this decision.

Critic of the peace pact, Duke supported the appeal of the sentence, warning that the case is not "close" and he is willing to authorize the extradition of Santrich.

The peace pact, which led to the disarmament of some 7,000 combatants, provides for criminal compensation for atrocious offenders who contribute to the truth, justice and reparation of the victims.

However, it invalidates the extradition protection for those who relapsed after the entry into force of the agreement.