Federal authorities have charged two Colombian nationals with a series of crimes connected to their alleged roles in a cocaine-manufacturing and narco-terrorism ring. The U.S. Department of Justice identified the accused as Iván Jacobo Idrobo Arredondo, also known as "Marlon Vásquez," and Juan Diego Palta Montero, alias "Ñeque." According to the U.S. DOJ's announcement, they are leaders within the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP), a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States in December 2021, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
The indictment, which was unsealed on May 5, charges both men with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to engage in narco-terrorism, and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine for unlawful importation. The charges further include conspiracy to possess firearms, machine guns, and destructive devices in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Idrobo is facing an additional count of possession of these items in furtherance of a trafficking offense. As reported by the Justice Department, both Idrobo and Palta are currently believed to be at large in Colombia.
The indictment details that the FARC-EP, a dissident faction from the FARC terrorist group, emerged after rejecting a 2016 peace agreement with the Colombian government. The group is credited with numerous violent acts, including assassinations, extortion, hostage-takings, and assaults, specifically targeting Colombian government and military personnel, but also attacking infrastructure, civilians, and U.S. military personnel based in Colombia. Allegedly, the group controls a region in Colombia that is attributed to producing around 70% of the country's cocaine.
From March 2023 to March 2024, the indictment alleges that Idrobo and Palta conspired to trade cocaine for thousands of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and machine guns intended to support FARC-EP's activities. In a documented negotiation, the criminals were said to have discussed trading narcotics for weapons to be used against Colombian government targets. These claims are substantiated by investigative work led by the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division and Bogotá Country Office, in coordination with Colombian and Czech authorities, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
