Juan Carlos Guzmán Berdugo was captured in the neighboring nation in early April 2019, when he was traveling to Panama.
Attorney General Raúl Melara confirmed this afternoon that Costa Rica had authorized the extradition of Juan Carlos Guzmán Berdugo, the father-in-law of former fugitive President Mauricio Funes, accused of money laundering in the corruption case known as public robberies.
“For us, as the Prosecutor’s Office, this is a message that is given, it is a triumph and it shows what was said at that time, that we will bring it to the country to face the money laundering allegations for which it is being prosecuted.” Melara.
The prosecutor’s office accuses him of laundering $ 351,530 with his wife, Ada Luz de Guzmán, stolen funds from the Presidency of the Republic.
Guzmán Berdugo, the father of Ada Mitchell Guzmán Sigüenza, the life partner of the former governor, a fugitive from Salvadoran justice, was captured in Costa Rica in early April 2019 while traveling to Panama.
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Tax and judicial authorities have begun the extradition process since his capture, but he was accepted by Costa Rica in November 2019.
However, the delay in securing Guzmán’s extradition was due to legal remedies his lawyers filed in Costa Rican courts to prevent his repatriation to the country.
“Mr. Guzmán had the right to use legal resources, this was processed in the courts of Costa Rica, but today it is announced that the extradition has been authorized,” Melara said.
He added that if Guzmán Berdugo’s defense did not file another appeal to delay his extradition, then he could be sent within a month.
“We hope that in a reasonable period of time he will be here in the country … We are confident that the facts are fully proven and that he must be extradited to the country,” the prosecutor general said.
Photo capture from Twitter / @nayibbukele
The Attorney General’s Office also reacted to the case and, through its Twitter account, distributed part of the extradition sentence issued by the Criminal Court of the First Judicial Circuit in San José, Costa Rica.
“Following a trial initiated by the FGR’s criminal action, today (Wednesday) Costa Rica decides to grant the extradition of the father-in-law of former President Mauricio Funes. After being accused by the FGR, Mr. Guzmán fled to Costa Rica, where he wanted to evade justice, “said the General Prosecutor’s Office.
Capture photos from Twitter / @FGR_SV
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In El Salvador, the arrest warrant against him was issued in June 2017. According to the tax requirement, the Guzmán Sigüenza couple used public money to buy vehicles, pay loans and travel abroad, among other things.
In June 2017, the 5th San Salvador Peace Court issued a Detention Instruction for Mauricio Funes, his life partner, Ada Mitchell Guzmán, and 13 other defendants related to the public robbery case, in which $ 351 million were abducted from state houses.
However, until April 2019, the suspect was detained by Interpol in Costa Rica, when he intended to travel to Panama, and after the approval of that nation for his extradition, he will be handed over to the country to face his lawsuit.
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