Colombia’s new right-wing president brought a wanted narcotics commander to an American plane himself.
Video shows President Abelardo de la Espriella in a hangar as Geovany Andrés Rojas, alias “Araña” or “Spider,” is handed to U.S. Marshals and DEA agents.
WATCH:
🚨 WOW! Colombia’s new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella just PERSONALLY hauled a hardened narco-criminal into a hangar to be loaded onto a UNITED STATES plane by US Marshals and DEA
El Tigre goes FULL law and order mode, and the terrified narco gets hauled into a… pic.twitter.com/ogWpG66ZI5
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 26, 2026
Rojas landed in San Diego later Friday under DEA and FBI escort.
His first federal appearance is set for Monday, before Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu in the Southern District of California.
Hoy se hizo efectiva la extradición de alias “Araña” a los Estados Unidos.
Como Presidente de la República hice personalmente la entrega de Geovany Andrés Rojas, alias “Araña”, cabecilla de los Comandos de la Frontera y requerido por la justicia de los Estados Unidos.
La Corte… pic.twitter.com/BbGvqkiydV
— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) September 25, 2026
de la Espriella posted a video of the handover on X, and wrote in Spanish, translated by the platform:
Today, the extradition of alias “Spider” to the United States became effective.
As President of the Republic, I personally oversaw the handover of Geovany Andrés Rojas, alias “Spider,” leader of the Border Commands and wanted by the justice system of the United States.
The Supreme Court of Justice authorized his extradition, and I signed it without delay. With this decision, there are now 94 extraditions carried out during my administration.
This act represents far more than the handover of a criminal. It is an unequivocal message about the determination of the Colombian State to confront drug trafficking, strike at its structures, and strengthen cooperation with our allies to combat a criminal phenomenon that transcends our borders.
Drug trafficking has financed violence, terrorism, and organizations that have sown pain in our territory for decades. That is why we are acting against the entire criminal chain: illicit crops, laboratories, routes, finances, and leaders who grow rich at the expense of the blood and peace of mind of our citizens.
Colombia will no longer be a refuge for drug traffickers wanted by international justice. Those who seek to use our territory to produce, transport, or commercialize cocaine will have to answer to the justice system and face the full, legitimate weight of the State.
To Colombians, I reiterate my commitment: we will continue working to reclaim our territory, protect our families, and restore peace of mind to the regions battered by these organizations.
And to the criminals, I send an equally clear message: the State will pursue you, capture you, and, when warranted under the law, extradite you.
Colombia’s security is not delegated. It is exercised with authority, determination, and within the bounds of the law.
Firm for the Homeland!
Long live Christ the King!
Rojas, 44, is accused of leading Comandos de la Frontera, the Border Commands faction tied to the National Coordinator of the Bolivarian Army, a FARC dissident network that rejected or walked away from the 2016 peace deal.
U.S. prosecutors charged him with drug trafficking and criminal conspiracy tied to operations in Colombia and Ecuador dating to 2017.
The case was filed in the Southern District of California in early 2025.
AP and Reuters say he ran cocaine through Putumayo, on the Ecuador and Peru borders.
Colombia’s attorney general has separately linked Rojas to killings in Caquetá.
Rojas was arrested in Bogotá in February 2025 on an Interpol red notice while taking part in Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” talks. Colombia’s Supreme Court cleared extradition in 2025. Former President Petro suspended the handoff so Rojas could stay at the table as a negotiator.
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