Juan Fernández Carrasquilla

Juan Fernández Carrasquilla was a prominent Colombian lawyer known for his controversial defense of key figures in the Cali Cartel during the 1990s, including Miguel and Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela. Born on July 20, 1940, in Medellín, Carrasquilla was an influential academic and legal scholar, teaching at the University of Medellín and leaving a lasting impact on the field of law, particularly regarding extradition issues. He famously argued against the legality of extraditing Colombian drug lords to the United States, claiming such actions were unconstitutional at the time. His stances sparked significant legal debates and controversies, making him a notable figure in Colombian legal history. Carrasquilla passed away on July 7, 2023, in Bogotá, and his contributions to law and academia were commemorated by colleagues, students, and clients at his memorial service.