Bolivia has extradited former anti-drug chief Maximiliano Dávila to the U.S., where he faces allegations of drug trafficking during his tenure. Dávila denies wrongdoing, while former President Evo Morales criticizes the extradition, calling it a violation of sovereignty.
Bolivia's Former Anti-Drugs Chief Extradited to Face Drug Charges in the US
Bolivia's Former Anti-Drugs Chief Extradited to Face Drug Charges in the US
Maximiliano Dávila, a former high-ranking drug enforcement official in Bolivia, is extradited to the United States to face serious drug trafficking charges.
Bolivia has taken a significant step by extraditing former anti-drugs director Maximiliano Dávila to the United States, where he is charged with drug trafficking. Dávila, known as "Macho," allegedly facilitated the smuggling of cocaine to the U.S. during his leadership of Bolivia's anti-narcotics agency, the Specialized Forces for the Fight Against Drug Trafficking (FELCN). The Supreme Court of Bolivia approved his extradition in late November, following corruption charges that had led to his imprisonment since February 2022.
In February 2022, U.S. officials revealed an indictment accusing Dávila of involvement in cocaine trafficking and related weapons offenses. The U.S. Department of State claims Dávila misused his authority to protect aircraft used for drug transport, further implicating him in narcotics trafficking before and during his directorship of FELCN. If convicted, Dávila could face a prison sentence ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life.
The U.S. had even offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his conviction as of 2022. Dávila served under former President Evo Morales, who held office from 2006 to 2019. The extradition has sparked controversy, with Morales openly criticizing the decision on social media, stating, "Bolivia is once again a US Colony." He accused the Bolivian government of violating international agreements and called for Dávila to be tried in Bolivia.
Morales, facing his investigations for alleged serious crimes, had previously expelled the U.S. ambassador from Bolivia and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2008, alleging conspiracies against his administration. His supporters have been actively protesting against his ongoing investigations. Recently, Morales claimed to have survived an assassination attempt, an allegation the Bolivian government denies.
The extradition of Maximiliano Dávila signifies ongoing tensions between Bolivia's sovereignty and U.S. law enforcement interests in combatting drug trafficking.
