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Colombia extradites FARC dissident leader to the United States
Colombia has extradited Willinton Henao Gutiérrez, known as ‘El Mocho Olmedo’, a leader of the FARC’s 33rd Front, to the United States. He was accompanied by six other Colombians facing charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and cyber fraud.
The U.S. District Court for the District of South Florida accuses Henao Gutiérrez of cocaine distribution and money laundering. While his arrest warrant had been suspended since 2023 due to his participation in peace dialogues with the Colombian government, his status as a negotiator was revoked in August 2026, clearing the way for extradition.
In addition to the extradition, Colombian authorities have conducted several significant anti-narcotics and anti-insurgency operations. In Antioquia, the military destroyed a cocaine laboratory capable of producing 800 kilograms per month, causing an estimated 1.5 billion peso blow to the ‘El Mesa’ criminal group. Furthermore, security forces captured four members of the FARC dissidents, including alias ‘Brayan Veneco’, in a joint operation in Bolívar and Antioquia.
Entities
Colombia · DEA · Dijín · FARC · FARC dissidents · Fiscalía General de la Nación · Guillermo Carpio Cárdenas · Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque · Office of the Attorney General of Colombia · Tether · U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Zuluaga Duque was involved in laundering $14.5 million in Tether. www.newsbtc.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Guillermo Carpio Cárdenas, known as ‘Gallo’, was identified as a leader of the arrested group. crprensa.com · blockonomi.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Eight people were arrested in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Maicao, and Cajicá for drug trafficking and money laundering. crprensa.com · blockonomi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque was sentenced to 160 months in prison in the U.S. www.newsbtc.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The arrested group used tokens and fractional deposits to hide illicit resources. crprensa.com · blockonomi.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Henao Gutiérrez was a leader of the FARC dissident Front 33. lanotastereo.com.co · larazon.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] Willinton Henao Gutiérrez, alias ‘El Mocho Olmedo’, was extradited to the United States. lanotastereo.com.co · larazon.co · crprensa.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nassim Orfale Vásquez is accused of laundering $42 million in cryptocurrency since 2018. blockonomi.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico requested the extradition of the arrested group. crprensa.com · blockonomi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Zuluaga Duque was ordered to forfeit $14,751,846. www.newsbtc.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The investigation involved controlled deliveries of 87 cocaine hydrochloride packages. crprensa.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The investigation into the eight suspects involved controlled deliveries of 87 cocaine hydrochloride packages. crprensa.com