Colombian alleged narco-terrorist extradited to US to dace cocaine trafficking charges
Colombian alleged narco-terrorist extradited to US to dace cocaine trafficking charges
A Colombian national accused of leading a major cocaine-trafficking organisation has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face international drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.
Geovany Andres Rojas, also known as “Araña” — Spanish for “Spider” — was handed over to US authorities on Saturday at a Colombian National Police air base in Bogotá under heavy security.
US officials said Rojas arrived at an undisclosed location in San Diego at about 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, accompanied by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of California returned a two-count superseding indictment against Rojas on March 7, 2025, charging him with international conspiracy to distribute cocaine and narco-terrorism.
Colombian authorities arrested Rojas on February 12, 2025, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued over narcotics-related offences.
The Supreme Court of Colombia unanimously approved his extradition in October 2025. However, the process was subsequently suspended while Rojas participated in a new round of peace talks between armed groups and the Colombian government.
The extradition process resumed after President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered on August 26, 2026, that Rojas be transferred to US authorities.
US prosecutors allege that Rojas was a senior leader and spokesman for Comandos de la Frontera, a paramilitary organisation operating in southwestern Colombia with an estimated 1,000 members.
According to the indictment, the organisation profited from the cultivation and production of cocaine while using weapons and violence to maintain control over territory in one of Colombia’s major cocaine-producing regions.
US authorities also allege that Rojas had previously been a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and signed the 2016 peace agreement before later becoming involved in armed activities.
Rojas publicly described Comandos de la Frontera as part of Segunda Marquetalia, an organisation formed by former FARC combatants who returned to armed conflict after the 2016 peace agreement. The US State Department designated Segunda Marquetalia as a foreign terrorist organisation in December 2021.
US Attorney Adam Gordon said the extradition demonstrated increased cooperation between Colombia and the US in targeting drug-trafficking and armed groups.
FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily said the extradition should demonstrate to senior figures in drug-trafficking organisations that US law-enforcement agencies and international partners would continue pursuing them.
Rojas is scheduled to make his initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu at 2 p.m. on September 28, 2026.
The extradition was coordinated by the US Justice Department’s Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Kristopher Jarvis, and Office of International Affairs Trial Attorney Aaron York, with assistance from the US Marshals Service.
The charges against Rojas remain allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
