U.S.

Department of Justice

Criminal Division

VAA:RT:TSL:TBM
Office of International Affairs Washington, D.C. 20530

February 26, 2019

VIA Email and FedEx

Natalia Muñoz Labajas

Directora de Asuntos Internacionales
Ministerio de Justicia
Calle 53 No. 13-27
Código Postal 111711
Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Re: Colombian Requests for Judicial Assistance from the Jurisdicción Especial Para
La Paz (Foreign Reference Number: OFI18-0035650-DAI-1100; U.S. Reference
Number: CRM-182-64706)

Dear Dra. Muñoz:

On February 5, 2018, the Office of International Affairs received two requests for judicial
assistance from the Colombian Ministry of Justice, made on behalf of the Jurisdicción Especial
Para La Paz (JEP) pertaining to Seuxis Paucias Hernández Solarte (Hernández), alias Jesús
Santrich. The JEP asks U.S. authorities to provide copies of nine legal recordings from between
July 10, 2017, and February 13, 2018, referenced in the U.S. extradition request for Hernández,
dated June 7, 2018. The JEP requests this additional information in order to determine
Hernández’s exemption from extradition pursuant to Transitory Article 19 of the Colombian
Political Constitution.

With great respect, we must decline this request, since it is both contrary to our treaty
practice, and asks for evidence unnecessary to rule on this extradition request.

First, as to our treaty practice: the United States’ request for the extradition of Hernández
satisfies the requirements of all applicable treaties and Colombian law, as well as the United
States’ longstanding extradition practice with Colombia. It is important that we follow that
practice in all cases.

Second, it is in any event unnecessary to provide supplemental evidence here because the
extradition request provides all the information necessary to make a determination as to
Hernández’s extraditability. As that request makes clear, all—not just some—of the criminal
actions allegedly taken by Hernández clearly occurred after the effective date of the Final
Agreement To End The Armed Conflict And Build A Stable And Lasting Peace, that is,
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December 1, 2016. For instance, the request alleges that on two occasions between November
2017 and February 2018, two cooperating witnesses met with Hernández at Hernández’s
residence in Colombia and discussed the purchase and delivery of 10,000 kilograms of cocaine.
Hernández directed a co-conspirator and one of the cooperating witnesses to work out the details
for the cocaine transfer.

The United States values the cooperative relationship we share with Colombia, and we
strive to continue the assistance our countries provide to one another.

Sincerely,

Vaughn A. Ary
Director

By:

Teresita B. Mutton
Trial Attorney