Colombia extradites leader of armed group to US in shift towards Washington

What the report says

Colombia has extradited an alleged drug trafficking leader to the United States, signaling a sharper turn in President Abelardo de la Espriella’s security policy toward closer cooperation with Washington, Al Jazeera reported on September 26, 2026. The transfer took place after de la Espriella personally oversaw the handover of Geovany Andres Rojas, also known as “the Spider,” who is accused of leading an armed organization linked to former FARC members.

According to the report, Rojas was flown to California and placed in federal custody. US authorities are expected to pursue drug trafficking and terrorism charges. Al Jazeera said Rojas had been associated with Comandos de la Frontera, a group tied to cocaine trafficking in Putumayo, a Colombian region bordering Ecuador and Peru.

The decision marks a break with the approach of de la Espriella’s predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who had blocked extradition so Rojas could serve as a mediator in talks with armed and criminal groups. De la Espriella, who took office in August, has instead ended peace talks and launched military operations against armed groups. The report places the move in the context of a broader US push to expand anti-crime and anti-drug efforts in Latin America under President Donald Trump.

Al Jazeera also noted concerns from rights groups that a more militarized strategy could increase abuses and violence, though it said many Colombians support a tougher response to armed groups involved in drug routes and displacement.