South American Law & Policy: U.S. unfreezes Goni extradition request | South American Law & Policy:

U.S. unfreezes Goni extradition request | South American Law & Policy

U.S. unfreezes Goni extradition request

Posted on November 27, 2011 

Contemplated in the document signed by Bolivia and the U.S. about a month ago–which also saw the two nations reestablish diplomatic relations–the U.S. and Bolivia have kicked off discussions regarding the possible extradition of fomer Bolivian President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, popularly known as “Goni.”  The Morales administration has sought his extradition for years now on charges of genocide and financial crimes.  Even though Bolivia signed an extradition treaty with the U.S. in 1995, the U.S. has so far refused the extradition request, citing a clause that prohibits extradition for “political” reasons.  

The warming of relations between the U.S. and Bolivia is quite interesting.  It’s dangerous to read too much into it, but the timing–this all started to happen shortly after the TIPNIS crisis–raises questions:  Has Morales softened his position vis-a-vis the U.S. out of a recognition that his international and domestic clout has been diminished?  Does the U.S. perceive a regime change in the near future (perhaps in the next round of elections), such that it is aiming to lay the groundwork for a more fruitful relationship with the next Bolivian president?    Food for thought.

-NF

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My question, comment, thought on it.

Shades of Noriega has lived out his usefulness, and now it is time to dispose of the evidence?