One of the world's richest drug traffickers has been shot to death by police two months after he escaped from a maximum-security jail.
The killing Tuesday night of Jose Santacruz Londono, considered the No. 3 leader of the Cali drug cartel, followed a U.S. decision last week to deny Colombia some aid because of failures in the drug war.Authorities were elated at the death of Santacruz, 54, whose Chevrolet four-wheel-drive was intercepted shortly after 11 p.m. by police in the northwestern city of Medellin, once home to a rival drug gang.
"It is a way of showing the world that this country is not an executioner but is rather the main victim of drug trafficking," said President Ernesto Samper, who has been plagued by charges he won office with drug traffickers' cash.
In an interview with RCN radio, Samper said the successful manhunt was "vindication" of Colombia's efforts to dismantle drug gangs that provide most of the world's cocaine.
Police and military went on alert Wednesday in Medellin to deter possible violent reprisals by drug traffickers. "I hope there are no terrorist actions," Interior Minister Horacio Serpa said.
Last week, President Clinton decided to cut off some U.S. aid to punish Colombia for not doing enough to fight drugs, partly because of evidence of drug corruption in Samper's election campaign.
But U.S. officials were furious when Santacruz fled Bogota's La Picota prison Jan. 11 apparently with the help of corrupt prison guards, and warned his escape would also influence the decision whether to certify Colombia as an anti-drug ally.
A police patrol chased Santacruz's car after an informant tipped off authorities to his whereabouts, said Gen. Alfredo Salgado, Medellin police commander.