Colombia's President Petro signs extradition of drug gang leader 'Chiquito Malo' to U.S

President Gustavo Petro signed executive resolution 261 on July 6, authorising the immediate extradition of Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, known as “Chiquito Malo,” the top commander of the Clan del Golfo. The extradition will take effect once he is captured, allowing the United States to prosecute him for conspiracy to possess and distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel under U.S. jurisdiction. The resolution also requires Ávila to return to Colombia after serving any U.S. sentence to face pending Colombian cases.

Petro announced the decision on X, stating, “Decretada la extradición inmediata en caso de captura de alias ‘Chiquito Malo’, responsable del grupo organizado armado Clan del Golfo.” He defended the move against critics, asserting that accusations of his involvement in drug trafficking are unfounded. The U.S. embassy had formally requested the extradition in November 2022, following an earlier request in 2015 that did not result in capture.

The extradition marks a decisive shift in Colombia’s security strategy, ending the government’s negotiated approach with the Clan del Golfo and coinciding with the Council of State’s suspension of dialogue with the Segunda Marquetalia. Analysts view the step as a setback to Petro’s “total peace” agenda, highlighting the broader political and legal ramifications of the decision.