ves, was sure to be applauded by jailed Cali cartel kingpins since it saves them from standing trial and serving possible life sentences abroad instead of lenient sentences at home. But the legislation was sure to draw fiery criticism from Washington and the U.S. State Department, which said it was "extremely troubled" and "stunned" when Colombia's Senate approved extradition without retroactive powers in September. If signed into law by President Ernesto Samper, the bill would open the door to extraditing Colombians for future crimes. But it slammed it shut on Washington's goal of putting Cali cartel capos on trial in U.S. courts. It also clamped a ban on extradition for political crimes, despite warnings that could be seen as a blanket amnesty or pardon for criminal acts committed outside of Colombia or against foreign interests within its national territory. Samper's ruling Liberal Party dominates Congress and it cleared him by an ample majority of possible impeachment on drug corruption charges last year. Despite his government's call to restore extradition without conditions -- leaving the question of retroactivity to be resolved later -- critics suggest he has backpedaled on the issue to protect Cali cartel drug lords accused of financing his 1994 election campaign.