USA26 September, 20262 min read
Colombia Extradites Rebel Leader Araña, Geovany Andres Rojas, to U.S. After Immunity Delay
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Geovany Andres Rojas, aka Araña, extradited from Colombia to the United States. Leader of a group formed by former FARC members, accused of drug trafficking and terrorism.
5 outlets told this the same way.
Rojas sent to California
Colombian authorities handed over Geovany Andres Rojas, the leader of the rebel movement 'Commandos of the Frontier,' to the United States after his extradition was delayed for several months due to being granted immunity by the previous Colombian government.
Rojas, aka “Araña,” arrived at an undisclosed location in San Diego at 4:30 p.m. PST, flanked by DEA and FBI agents.
Rojas was handed over to U.S. officials this morning under heavy security at a Colombian National Police air base in Bogotá, with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella attending the sendoff.
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of California returned a two-count superseding indictment charging Rojas with International Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Narco-Terrorism.
Rojas was extradited from Colombia Thursday and placed in US custody, as he faced federal charges that could put him behind bars for life.
De la Espriella shifts course
President Abelardo de la Espriella announced on Friday the extradition of Geovany Andres Rojas, accused of leading an organisation formed by previous members of the FARC rebel group. De la Espriella said, “You don’t build peace by protecting narco-terrorists like this bandit,” after he personally oversaw Rojas’s transfer to the US. Gustavo Petro shielded Rojas from extradition to use him as a mediator in talks between the government and armed and criminal groups.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro suspended Rojas’ extradition later that year, while Rojas participated in a new round of peace talks between armed groups and the Colombian government. De la Espriella’s far-right predecessor approach was scrapped as the new government aligned with Washington and launched military operations against armed groups since taking office in August.
U.S. case and courtroom timeline
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon told reporters, “Colombia and the Department of Justice are making a clean sweep of narcoterrorists, starting with Araña,” as the extradition proceeded.
DEA Administrator Terry Cole stated, “Geovany Andres Rojas faces narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges for allegedly orchestrating multi-ton cocaine shipments bound for the United States.”
Rojas is expected to make his initial court appearance at 2 p.m. on September 28, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu.
The cocaine conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, while the narco terrorism charge carries at least 20 years and up to life.
Rojas served as the spokesman and leader of Comandos de la Frontera, a paramilitary organization with an estimated 1,000 members operating in southwestern Colombia.