Colombian President Gustavo Petro has suspended the extradition of Willington Henao Gutiérrez, also known as "Mocho Olmedo," the leader of the FARC-EP dissident group's Front 33, to the United States. This decision aims to ensure his participation in ongoing peace negotiations in the Catatumbo region, bordering Venezuela.
Henao Gutiérrez, detained since February 2025, faces charges in the United States for drug trafficking and money laundering. His extradition was approved by the Colombian Supreme Court in May 2025. However, President Petro decided to suspend it through a resolution dated June 26, 2025, arguing that his presence is essential to advance peace processes with Front 33.
The resolution states that extradition will resume if Henao Gutiérrez does not contribute with "verifiable contributions and concrete results" to the peace process. Petro justified his decision by stating that the law allows him to halt extraditions when there is an advanced peace process, which involves removing the causes of violence, such as the illicit economy.