Story perspectives

President Extradites Rebel Leader “Spider” to U.S.

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Abelardo De La Espriella extradited rebel leader Geovany Andrés Rojas to the United States.
Espriella personally oversaw the transfer at Barranquilla’s Catam military base on Friday.
Rojas, alias “Spider,” led the Comandos de la Frontera, a FARC dissident group linked to cocaine trade.
U.S. prosecutors charge him with drug trafficking and terrorism for operations in Colombia and Ecuador since 2017.

History

Historical Context

In the 1970s, soaring U.S. cocaine demand helped the Medellín Cartel, co-founded by Carlos Lehder, build a trans-Caribbean hub on Norman’s Cay (1978-87). After the 1984 murder of Justice Minister Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, President Belisario Betancur pledged extraditions, placing Lehder on the first list. The 1995 U.S. extradition of Lehder—resulting in a 55-year term and $1.5 billion seized—along with the hand-over of “Spider” Rojas, underscored deepening U.S.–Colombia anti-narcotics cooperation.

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Story summary

President Abelardo De La Espriella extradited rebel leader Geovany Andrés Rojas to the United States.
Espriella personally oversaw the transfer at Barranquilla’s Catam military base on Friday.
Rojas, alias “Spider,” led the Comandos de la Frontera, a FARC dissident group linked to cocaine trade.
U.S. prosecutors charge him with drug trafficking and terrorism for operations in Colombia and Ecuador since 2017.

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