A high-ranking Peruvian law enforcement official has refuted allegations that Dutch authorities obstructed efforts to extradite Joran van der Sloot to the United States to face federal charges related to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Colonel Carlos López Aeda, chief of Interpol in Lima, confirmed to Fox News Digital that Dutch authorities cooperated fully, even issuing an emergency passport for van der Sloot. However, van der Sloot himself refused to accept or sign the document, necessitating alternative exit paperwork from Peruvian immigration officials.

López Aeda emphasized that standard immigration procedures were followed and that the Dutch Embassy played no role in hindering the extradition process. This contradicts statements made by van der Sloot's Peruvian defense attorney, Maximo Altez, who publicly accused Dutch officials of interference and encouraged van der Sloot to resist extradition. The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained that they cannot comment on individual cases but affirmed their commitment to providing consular assistance to all Dutch citizens detained abroad.

Van der Sloot pleaded not guilty to extortion and wire fraud charges in a Birmingham, Alabama federal court. The charges stem from an alleged scheme to provide false information about Natalee Holloway's remains to her mother in exchange for money. He is currently being held without bail. Beth Holloway, Natalee's mother, expressed confidence in the U.S. Attorney's office and gratitude for their efforts in pursuing justice for her daughter, who would have been 36 years old.

Van der Sloot is already serving a prison sentence in Peru for the 2010 murder of Stephany Flores, which occurred five years to the day after Natalee Holloway's disappearance. While he remains the prime suspect in Holloway's disappearance, he has never been charged in connection with her death. Natalee Holloway was declared legally dead by an Alabama judge in 2012, and her remains have never been recovered.