Envoy Denies Fleeing Threats

The U.S. ambassador to Colombia today denied receiving new threats since the extradition to the United States of an accused Colombian drug kingpin, saying he returned to Washington for routine consultations.

Charles Gillespie said his visit had been planned for six to eight weeks. The Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel had reported that Gillespie left Bogota hastily Thursday after intelligence reports indicated there was a plot to kidnap him and trade him for Carlos Enrique Lehder Rivas, who was extradited Feb. 4 and faces trial in Florida.