Venezuela high court authorizes gov’t to request former president’s extradition from US

Venezuela: OK to seek ex-president’s extradition

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s Supreme Court has cleared the way for the government to seek former President Carlos Andres Perez’s extradition from the United States.

Perez is wanted for trial on charges stemming from violence during 1989 protests over gasoline and transportation prices.

Prosecutors allege Perez ordered a harsh crackdown in which at least 300 people died. Rights activists say many were shot indiscriminately by security forces.

The 87-year-old former leader has lived in the Miami area for more than a decade and is reportedly in poor health. He is also wanted in Venezuela on corruption charges.

Thursday’s ruling authorizes President Hugo Chavez’s government to formally ask Washington to extradite Perez.