Colombian President Abelardo De la Espriella ordered the extradition to the US of five people who served as representatives or negotiators in peace processes conducted with armed groups during the administration of former President Gustavo Petro.
Announced on Thursday, the decision covers individuals sought by US authorities over allegations of drug trafficking, illegal arms trafficking or possession, and narco-terrorism.
Five people on the extradition list
The list includes Geovany Andres Rojas, who is alleged to be the leader of the criminal organization Comandos de Frontera. Also known as Arana, Rojas was detained on February 14, 2025, while taking part in peace talks with the government.
An extradition order was also issued for Willington Henao Gutierrez, one of the leaders of groups that split from FARC, who is also known as Mocho Olmedo. Carmen Evelio Castillo Carrillo, the former leader of Los Pachenca, also known as the Sierra Nevada Conquerors, and known by the alias Muneca, was another person on the list.
The same decision was issued for Gabriel Yepes Mejia, also known as HH, and Fredy Castillo Carrillo, also known as Pinocho. The two were reported to be fugitives.
Petro-era dialogue halted the proceedings
De la Espriella said the extradition orders had been approved by the previous government last year. However, the individuals' participation in various dialogue processes during the Petro administration had led to the suspension of the proceedings.
Announcing that the cases had been reviewed again, De la Espriella said there was no verifiable contribution or concrete result that could justify continuing the peace process.
Peace negotiations cannot become a refuge from justice.
De la Espriella also said that those who want to turn toward legality must demonstrate this through concrete and verifiable facts.
Departure from the “Total Peace” policy
The decision reflects a security approach different from the “Total Peace” policy pursued during the Petro administration, which envisaged talks with groups that had split from FARC, the National Liberation Army and other armed or criminal organizations. Some of these processes were later suspended or halted because of ongoing violence.
The Colombian president also said he had signed more than 30 extradition orders during the first 16 days after taking office.
Mocho Olmedo surrendered to security forces in February 2025 in the Catatumbo region, where clashes took place between groups that had split from FARC and the National Liberation Army. Muneca was detained in a police operation conducted in June 2024.
