A former enforcer for Colombia’s Norte del Valle Cartel and suspected heir to “Don Diego” has been sentenced to 23 years for murder and drug trafficking offenses.
Oscar Varela Garcia, alias “Capachivo,” rose to prominence in the 1990s as an enforcer for the Norte del Valle Cartel, which was then Colombia’s most prolific cocaine exporter under the leadership of Wilber Varela and Diego Montoya Sanchez, alias “Don Diego.” According to authorities, Capachivo led the armed wing of the Norte del Valle Cartel known as “Los Machos,” which largely operated between the Colombian department of Valle del Cauca and Choco.
Following the break up of the Norte del Valle Cartel in 2003, Capachivo sided with Don Diego over Varela in the ensuing conflict and it is believed he continued to work alongside him until Don Diego’s arrest in 2007.
Garcia’s defense attorney Richard Diaz has called the 23-year sentence a resounding victory for the defense, given that the defendant was facing a maximum term of up to 50 years in prison.
“It was worth going to court, there are times where you have to fight to achieve something. The decision to go to court was correct,” Garcia’s attorney affirms.
Capachivo’s defense team has already stated that they will appeal the sentence and they hope to bring the case to trial again.