Today we present you 10 best countries for American fugitives, an essential reading for all prospective outlaws (and wannabe outlaws) out there.
TDway/Shutterstock.com
Ever since Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid fled the United States and started their wild run across Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, the myth of doing one final job and settling in South America has been a main topic of many criminals’ daydreams. If you add the fact that Butch and Sundance’s deaths were never officially confirmed and rumors about them living their lives in America after plastic surgeries in Paris, the allure of their adventures only increases.
One fact that is often overlooked in these plans is that Butch and Sundance did this at the turn of the 20th century.
Although there are plenty of places to visit in South America before you die, governments there are mostly hostile to the idea of harboring American fugitives and criminals. In most countries it is very hard to remain hidden from local authorities, especially if you are a foreigner and unfamiliar with local customs (like who to bribe and how much). That being said, there are still countries American fugitives can run to and spend the rest of their lives under the radar of FBI. On the other hand, South America is no longer the only place a retired criminal can spend his golden years. Some of the places on our list may come as a surprise to you. More recently, another high-profile American fugitive, Edward Snowden, has been capturing headlines all over the world.
Choosing the best country to flee from the law is a daunting task. There are plenty of things to consider before settling on a destination. Whether the country has the extradition treaty or not with the US is often cited as one of the most important factors. But if you look at the history of relationships between the United States and some countries that do have such treaty signed, you’ll find out that it isn’t as bulletproof as it is made out to be. For instance, Roman Polanski lived in France for over 30 years despite being wanted man in the US and the fact that Paris and Washington have signed an extradition treaty.
Let’s find out where that hard earned money from a bank robbery can be best spent in our list of 10 best countries for American fugitives.
