The head of a family linked to the powerful Medellin drug cartel appealed Tuesday for peace talks with the government and an end to narcotics trafficking.
Fabio Ochoa Restrepo - father of the reputed Medellin cartel leaders Jorge Luis, Juan David and Jorge Ochoa Vasquez - asked President Virgilio Barco to "end the bloodletting in our dear Colombia" by negotiating with drug traffickers to end the violence."No more drug trafficking, no more war, no more assassinations, no more bombs," Ochoa Restrepo said in his message, which was dated Saturday and printed in local newspapers Tuesday.
Ochoa Restrepo's three sons are among 12 people wanted by the United States on charges linked to the Medellin cartel, which enforcement agents believe is responsible for 80 percent of the cocaine distributed in the United States.
In other developments in the worldwide fight against drugs:
-Colombian President Virgilio Barco, calling the Medellin cartel the "most vicious criminal enterprise the world has ever known," says it is up to consuming nations such as the United States to stop the demand for cocaine.
In a speech Monday, Barco stressed the anti-drug fight was not Colombia's alone, blaming cocaine users worldwide for the existence of drug gangs that have threatened his government.
He said drug traffickers should understand that "there is no home for them" as they were international fugitives "on the run from civilized society everywhere."
-Seven bombs exploded early Tuesday, police said. There were no injuries in the bombings of six state liquor stores in Medellin and a travel agency in Bogota, police said, but $100,000 of damage was caused. The bomb in Bogota blew up about 300 feet from a military base.
-The government can win the war on drugs but must first get rid of police and government officials tied to the drug traffickers, a Bogota city councilwoman said Tuesday .
"Colombia cannot continue living in this bloodbath," Clara Lopez Obregon, told CBS' "This Morning" from Bogota. Her name has appeared on a death list by the drug lords.
-Colombian Justice Minister Monica de Greiff ended speculation that she had resigned by meeting U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh in Washington. Their talks centered on how to provide Bogota with equipment and training for its law-enforcement and military agencies, Thornburgh said. Washington has pledged $65 million in aid to Colombia.
-300 Colombian judges threatened to resign Monday because they said the government had failed to adopt adequate measures for their protection. The country's 4,379 judges last week temporarily suspended a strike begun in protest against the lack of security provided by the authorities.
-Abraham Majuat, identified as a top financial man for drug dealers, was detained last week at a ranch not far from Medellin, the army announced.
Army officials said Majuat is wanted in the United States. If so, he would be at least the fourth potentially extraditable suspect to be caught to date.
-The army raided and seized the estate of a sporting club owner, Edgardo Barrios, in the Caribbean port of Barranquilla. They said the property allegedly was obtained through smuggling profits.
-Colombian authorities seized Monday about 4.5 tons of cocaine, about 1 percent of Colombia's yearly production.
Also seized in two raids in Barranquilla were 8.2 tons of marijuana, authorities said.
-Florida law enforcement agents have increased security around Gov. Bob Martinez because of fears of a backlash from Colombian drug lords under pressure.
The bolstered protection began late Friday after state agents were tipped by federal sources that Colombian drug lords had threatened a political assassination in the United States if any of the targeted drug dealers were extradited from Colombia, Martinez said.
*****
(Additional information)
Anti-drug plan ready soon
President Bush, on a business break from his Maine vacatiion, met Tuesday with his drug czar and top Cabinet officers to put the final touches on his $8 billion anti-drug battle plan.
Bush will unveil the drug strategy Sept 5. in a nighttime televised address to the nation, his first as president.