The Colombian government has extradited fourteen paramilitary leaders to the United States for trial on drug charges. The unprecedented move comes as Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and the White House are seeking to win congressional approval of a controversial Colombian trade deal. Democrats have held up the agreement partly over human rights concerns. Uribe is also trying to diffuse allegations of his own ties to Colombian paramilitaries. The extraditions are drawing criticism, because they’ll allow the fourteen leaders to avoid charges for murders and other human rights abuses. They’ll be tried in the United States on drug charges at a time when the Bush administration has shown a willingness to reduce sentences in return for cooperation. José Miguel Vivanco of Human Rights Watch said, “These men are not going to be held accountable for the human rights violations they committed. Victims in Colombia will not be able to confront their tormentors and receive the reparations they deserve.”