Colombia disputes Portuguese court ruling granting leave to 'trafficker'
From the Shadows of Colombia: The Controversial Release of "Daddy Smurf"
In a surprising turn of events, Colombian President Gustavo Petro hit out at Portugal's top court on Monday, calling the decision to free Diego Marin Buitrago a slap in the face. Petro passionately referred to Buitrago as the "biggest drug trafficker and money launderer" in Colombia's history.
On the same day, Buitrago walked out of detention following a 'habeas corpus' plea made by his legal team. The argument was based on his illegal detention.
Portugal's Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) justified their ruling, indicating that Buitrago's extradition to Colombia, already approved by the Porto Court of Appeal (TRP) and sanctioned in April by the STJ, couldn't be enforced as long as his political asylum petition is under consideration by the Immigration and Asylum Service (SEF).
The STJ's ruling paved the way for the immediate release of Diego Marin, stating that his imprisonment had no "legal basis and cannot be indefinite."
President Petro took to social media expressing his frustration, vowing to work tirelessly to get the drug trafficker sent back to Bogotá, where he faces numerous charges. Petro even hinted at potential US involvement due to the fraught relationship between the two nations.
Known as the "Contraband Czar," "Papá Pitufo," or "Dapa Smurf" in Colombia, Diego Marin, 62, has allegedly been running a criminal network since 2023 involved in smuggling and bribery, reaching as far as corrupting National Police agents.
The STJ's decision was sent to the Porto Court of Appeal to evaluate the possible application of other coercive measures against Marin.
The TRP's ruling from March was clear that the final extradition decision couldn't be implemented without a resolution on Marin's asylum protection request from the SEF.
In opposition to the extradition request submitted to the TRP, Buitrago denied any criminal activities and pleaded with Portuguese authorities not to deport him back to his home country, where he said he faced a "death sentence."
Reacting to the STJ's decision, Buitrago's lawyer stated that his client, now released, had received the news with "enormous joy." The lawyer also assured that Buitrago never intended to evade justice in his home country and was willing to supply any clarifications the Colombian officials may require.
[1] Diego Marin, infamous for being a notorious figure in Colombia's criminal underworld, has also gone by aliases such as "Papá Pitufo" and "Dapa Smurf."
[2] Recently, Marin Buitrago has attracted attention due to allegations of corruption and bribery involving major smuggling operations and ties with the Cali cartel.[4][5]
[3] Buitrago had a complex relationship with the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), reportedly serving as an informant while corrupting agents to aid his criminal activities.[2]
[4] He was captured in December 2024 in northern Portugal while evading extradition to Colombia, where he is wanted on charges related to smuggling and participation in a criminal organization.[3]
- The controversy surrounding the release of Diego Marin, also known as "Papá Pitufo" or "Dapa Smurf," has raised concerns in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, given his extensive history of involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption.
- The politics of extradition have come under scrutiny in light of the recent events involving Diego Marin, as his release was facilitated following Portugal's Supreme Court of Justice's decision, despite his wanted status in Colombia for serious charges.
