Colombia Planning a Vote on Issue of Extradition to U.S.

BOGOTA, Colombia — The government said Thursday that it will let voters decide whether suspected drug traffickers wanted in the United States should be extradited.

A plan by President Virgilio Barco Vargas to hold a referendum on the extradition issue was announced in a communique made public by Minister of Government Orlando Vasquez, who had earlier announced plans to resign. Vasquez appears to be a casualty of political fighting within Barco’s Liberal Party.

The vote on whether suspected traffickers should be sent to the United States for trial could come as early as January, officials said.

The government revived Colombia’s extradition treaty with the United States as part of the emergency measures imposed in a crackdown on drug lords seven weeks ago.

One suspect has been extradited so far. Proceedings are under way against another, and two more are being held pending the arrival of U.S. documents asking for their extradition.

Vasquez made known his intention to resign during congressional debate Wednesday night. He gave no reason for the resignation, which had been rumored for days, and did not say when it would become effective.