World Notes COLOMBIA

The headline in the daily El Tiempo seemed to say it all: ONCE AGAIN THE MAFIA MAKES A FOOL OF COLOMBIA. The paper was denouncing the release from prison last week of Billionaire Jorge Ochoa Vasquez, 38, reputedly a leader of a crime cartel that supplies 80% of the cocaine consumed in the U.S. Ever since Ochoa was arrested at a roadblock on Nov. 21, Washington and Bogota had been negotiating over his extradition to the U.S., where he is wanted on drug trafficking charges.

Precisely how Ochoa was sprung remains murky. One of his attorneys reportedly showed up at Bogota's La Picota prison with a writ for Ochoa's release signed by a Colombian judge. Given the overwhelming influence of drug lords in that country, the assumption was that Ochoa had either bought his way out of prison or had intimidated officials to ensure his freedom.

The U.S. response was unusually sharp. The State Department expressed its "disgust," and Attorney General Edwin Meese called the incident a "shocking blow to international law enforcement." The Drug Enforcement Administration's reaction was even more scathing. Said DEA Chief John Lawn: "I'm shocked at the cowardice shown by the government of Colombia."