Bolivia Extradites Former Anti-Drug Director to U.S. on Trafficking Charges

The nation of Bolivia has sent its former anti-narcotics director, Maximiliano Dávila, known as “Macho,” to the United States. There, he is set to face charges related to drug trafficking. Dávila stands accused of aiding cocaine smuggling into the U.S. during his tenure leading Bolivia’s anti-narcotics agency. Bolivia’s Supreme Court granted approval for his extradition in late November, with the transfer occurring on Thursday. Dávila maintains his innocence regarding the allegations. Dávila had been incarcerated in Bolivia since February 2022, facing corruption charges. In the same month, authorities in the U.S. made public an indictment that accused the 60-year-old individual of cocaine trafficking and an associated weapons offense. The U.S. Department of State claims Dávila participated in narcotics trafficking both prior to and throughout his period as director of the Bolivian Special Forces for the Fight Against Drug Trafficking (FELCN). According to the department, Dávila leveraged his official capacity to “safeguard aircraft used to transport cocaine to third countries, for subsequent distribution in the United States”. Should he be found guilty, U.S. documents indicate he could receive a prison sentence ranging from a minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life imprisonment. In 2022, the state department announced a reward of up to $5 million (£4 million) for details that could result in his conviction. Dávila held the position of FELCN director during the administration of former President Evo Morales, who led Bolivia from 2006 to 2019. Following Dávila’s extradition, Morales voiced criticism of the action, stating on his X account that “Bolivia is once again a US Colony”. He further commented, “Bolivians are handed over to the North American Empire, violating international agreements, without first being tried in their homeland where they supposedly committed crimes”. In 2008, Morales had previously expelled both the U.S. ambassador and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from Bolivia, citing allegations of their conspiracy against his administration. Morales himself is currently subject to an investigation concerning alleged statutory rape and human trafficking, accusations which he refutes. His supporters recently organized countrywide blockades for several weeks, calling for the termination of the inquiry into him. In November, he posted a video showing his vehicle being fired upon, which he characterized as an “assassination attempt” targeting him. The Bolivian government dismissed Morales’ assertions that it was responsible for the attempt on his life.