Former Colombian paramilitary boss “Macaco” has been sentenced to 33 years in U.S. prison after pleading guilty to cocaine trafficking and terrorism-related charges.
Federal prosecutors said Wednesday the sentence was imposed on Carlos Mario Jimenez-Narango, also known as “Macaco.” Prosecutors said a judge sentenced Jimenez-Narango in May, but the matter was kept sealed without explanation until now.
Authorities say Jimenez-Narango had served as a leader in the right-wing United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC, which the U.S. classifies as a terrorist organization.
Prosecutors say he was behind the export of tons of cocaine from the mid-90s until 2007. Jimenez-Narango was extradited to the U.S. in May 2008.
Colombia’s paramilitaries were initially formed by ranchers and landowners to protect against leftist guerrillas but later became involved in drug trafficking.
