Colombia surrender law would not pardon drug traffickers: minister

Nestor Osuna, Colombian Minister of Justice speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bogota, Colombia March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia will not pardon drug traffickers or release them from prison under surrender deals the government wants to make with criminal groups, but it will break up gangs, the justice minister said.

Minister Nestor Ivan Osuna is spearheading efforts by the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro to get lawmakers to approve a surrender process for criminal groups as part of Petro's pledge to bring "total peace" to Colombia.