Colombia extradited Geovany Andres Rojas, known as Spider, a leader of a dissident FARC faction, to the United States on Friday. This marks the first extradition of a high-ranking armed group commander under President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has vowed to crack down on drug traffickers.
The extradition signals a shift in Colombia's approach to combating drug trafficking under its new president, aligning more closely with US policy and potentially impacting regional stability and drug flows.
Colombia extradited Geovany Andres Rojas, known by the alias Spider and accused of leading a dissident faction of the former FARC rebel group, to the United States on Friday, according to three police sources. This marks the first extradition of a high-ranking armed group commander under the administration of President Abelardo de la Espriella.
De la Espriella, who took office earlier this month, has pledged to intensify efforts against drug traffickers. He approved the extradition of five rebel members wanted in the US on drug-related charges. The extraditions were initially approved in 2025 by former President Gustavo Petro but were suspended because the individuals had participated in his peace efforts. De la Espriella has criticized Petro's peace plan, stating it provided a haven for criminals.
Rojas and another rebel leader, Willinton Henao, both members of dissident FARC factions, face multiple charges in the US, including drug trafficking, narco-terrorism, and illegal weapons possession. Henao was part of a group operating near the Venezuelan border, while Rojas led the Border Commandos near Ecuador. General Francis L. Donovan, head of US Southern Command, visited Bogota to discuss joint efforts against narco-trafficking.
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