Willinton Henao, a Colombian guerrilla commander wanted by the US, had his extradition suspended by the Colombian government. Henao, whose alias is “Mocho Olmedo,” leads the 33rd Front of the guerrilla group FARC EMC and is currently involved in peace efforts in Northeast Colombia.
In May, Henao’s extradition was approved by Colombia’s Supreme Court. However, his efforts in establishing peace in the country’s northeastern region with rebel groups and replacing coca plant crops have been considered necessary by the Colombian government and sufficient for keeping him in the country.
Colombian Justice Minister Eduardo Montealegre ordered the suspension on June 26, which was announced by President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday.
Henao was indicted in 2023 for drug trafficking and money laundering. He was also alleged to have conspired to ship 115 kilos of cocaine into the US. He must contribute to peace talks and produce results, or else face extradition to the US, according to the resolution for his suspension.
According to Colombia Reports, “In the cases of both the 33rd Front and the Comuneros del Sur, the guerrillas are expected to help the government and local farmers replace the coca crops that historically sustained the guerrilla groups and their drug trafficking associates.”
Montealegre is not against the US efforts to stop drug trafficking from Colombia.
“The goal is to achieve the same end by different means: to dismantle organized crime, to put an end to drug trafficking,” the minister said.
According to The Associated Press, Henao is the second guerrilla leader to have an extradition suspended by the Colombian government. In May, Colombia halted the extradition of Gabriel Yepes Mejía, leader of the rebel group Comuneros del Sur, who was indicted for similar offenses committed in Texas.
