An extradited Colombian ex-paramilitary has pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorism by attempting to trade US$25 million in cocaine for arms including anti-aircraft missles his role in the United Self
Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC for its Spanish initials.
Diego Alberto Ruiz Arroyave, a.k.a. “El Primo”, could be sentenced with up 15 years of prison and a US$250,000 fine for attempting the exchange, reported Spanish news agency EFE.
The 46-year-old was one of 14 top AUC leaders extradited in May to the U.S. The AUC has been considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department since 2001.
This article originally reported Arroyave had been convicted, based on a mistaken translation.