OFF THE CUFF: The conundrum of Colombia ex-spy chief in Panama

THE INTERNATIONAL Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and partner agencies in Panama have demanded the deportation of the former head of Colombia’s intelligence agency , María del Pilar Hurtado, wanted for illegal wiretapping under President Alvaro Uribe..

The president of the FIDH, Karim Lahidji said Thursday, January 22, that “the Government of Panama should deport Maria del Pilar Hurtado to Colmbia in the shortest possible time” in a joint statement with the Lawyers Collective) of Colombia,(Cajar) and Panama’s Centre for Social Training of Panama (CCS).
Hurtado is accountable to the Colombian Justice for various crimes and for her alleged involvement in illegal wiretapping and monitoring of journalists, judges, congressmen and human rights defenders under President Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010).
The former head of intelligence was granted asylum in Panama by Ricardo Martinelli in 2010, while his own spying team was developing its strategies, She lost that status after in May 2014 when the Supreme Court of Justice declared the decree by which the Executive granted the right, unconstitutional.
On January 12, Panama refused to grant refuge to Hurtado and days later the Superior Court of Bogotá issued a new arrest warrant for her.
The FIDH considers that currently all the conditions exist for the arrest and deportation of the former head of espionage.
In its opinion, here arrest has not occurred because “no government has shown real political will to search, arrest, extradite or deport” the statement said.
This situation, they conclude, is “an affront to the rights of victims” as well as to society and Colombian Justice. Meanwhile Panama is embroiled in its own spying scandal, and questions arise about Hurtado’s possible connection.