Colombia extradites to US brother of powerful left lawmaker

By JOSHUA GOODMAN
Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Colombia has extradited to the U.S. on narcotics charges the brother of a powerful leftist senator who has been a trusted intermediary for armed rebel groups and Venezuela’s socialist government. Álvaro Córdoba was handed over early Thursday to agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for a chartered flight to New York. The case was something of a minefield for leftist  President Gustavo Petro, who was elected last year with the support of Córdoba’s sister, Sen. Piedad Cordoba. Colombian court records show Cordoba was targeted in a coordinated sting by a unidentified confidential source working at the direction of the DEA.