Kingston, Jamaica

PM resigns over drug case: Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding unexpectedly announced his resignation last week, citing the political fallout from his handling of drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke’s extradition to the U.S. last year. The U.S. first requested Coke’s extradition to face drug trafficking charges in 2009. Golding stalled for nine months before reversing course under U.S. pressure in May 2010. He sent security forces into Coke’s West Kingston stronghold, setting off four days of gun battles that left 76 people dead. Golding’s political reputation never recovered. Questions about the Coke saga “have remained a source of concern in the minds of many people,” he said in explaining his resignation. Coke, who was extradited to the U.S. in June 2010, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in August. He faces 23 years in prison.

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