Former Mexican governor calls in from prison

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Former Mexican governor and accused cocaine kingpin Mario Villanueva called The Los Angeles Times Mexico City bureau from prison Tuesday to set the record straight: ‘I didn’t do it’ was the gist of the nearly two-hour conversation.

Federal prosecutors in New York allege Villanueva used his power to protect smugglers moving 200 tons of cocaine in the late 1990s while governor of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun and other beaches of the so-called Mayan Rivera. He fled authorities shortly before leaving office and disappeared for two years.

“Once they declared me a fugitive, I finally understood it all,” said Villanueva. “They wanted to wait until I left office, when my [prosecutorial] immunity expired, and then arrest me. It was then I decided to stay in hiding.”

But Villanueva was caught and served six years in prison on a money laundering conviction. He was re-arrested last week about a minute after his release. Mexican authorities are expecting he’ll be extradited to the United States for trial. New York federal prosecutors want to put him in prison for life.

“Am I afraid of being extradited? No,” said Villanueva, 58, who explained the millions of dollars he socked away in Swiss bank accounts as the legitimate proceeds of a life of public service and entrepreneurship, not to mention an inheritance.

Prosecutors allege Villanueva was paid $500,000 per shipment of cocaine.

“I’d love the opportunity to prove my case before a U.S. judge. However, I do think it’s unfair to extradite me on drug trafficking charges. I’m completely innocent,” Villanueva told the Times.

Posted by Carlos Martinez and Sam Enriquez in Mexico City