Colombia's Drug Kingpin Don Mario Sentenced to 35 Years by U.S. Court

Colombia's infamous drug kingpin Daniel Rendon Herrera, better known as Don Mario, has been sentenced to spend 35 years in prison by a U.S. court.

BBC News reported that Don Mario led the right-wing paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces, which was originally formed to fight left-wing guerillas. The group then turned to kidnappings, killings, and extortion.

The 57-year-old was arrested in 2009 in a rural hideaway. He was the most-wanted kingpin in Colombia at the time.

In 2018, he was extradited to the United States and just last year pleaded guilty to trafficking more than 80 tons of cocaine to the United States.

The Justice Department news release noted that he was also sentenced 15 years of imprisonment for conspiring to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organization AUC.

Don Mario's sentences will run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay $45.7 million in forfeiture.

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, said that the sentencing marks the end of the criminal career of Don Mario, who is responsible for importing tons of cocaine.

Peace added that their office remains committed to cooperating with international partners to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.

Colombia's Notorious Drug Kingpin Don Mario

Don Mario was also the leader of Clan de Golfo or Gulf Cartel of Colombia.

The cartel was reported to employ hitmen to engage in various acts of violence, such as murders, assaults, kidnappings, and assassinations to collect drug debts, according to a CBS News report.

Prosecutors also said that the hitmen maintain discipline, control, and expand the group's drug territory and promote and enhance the reputation and position of the organization.

In 2001, the U.S. government designated AUC as a global terrorist organization.

Don Mario admitted in court that he provided material support to a designated organization to kill, kidnap, and torture rival drug traffickers, and civilians.

Colombia has also extradited another alleged leader of the Gulf Clan earlier this year.

Colombia's Gulf Clan

The Gulf Clan was considered to be one of Colombia's paramilitary groups and known to have taken control of 11 of Colombia's 32 departments over the span of four days, according to an Aljazeera News report.

The group imposed strict lockdowns, closed local businesses, and blocked roads, which disrupted transportation. They also warned residents at the time to stay inside or risk being shot or having their vehicles burned.

The Gulf Clan's armed attack was three weeks ahead of Colombia's election for their next president on May 29.

The group had committed at least 309 acts of violence during their strike, according to the Special Jurisdiction of Peace tribunal.

It also reported the forced closure of 26 roads, destruction of at least 118 vehicles, and disruption of 54 transport terminals.

The tribunal also documented that 24 civilians were killed during the strike, with 15 more attempted murders.

Three social leaders were among those killed, according to a JEP tribunal official.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: 'Don Mario' estaba dispuesto a aceptar su extradición - from EL TIEMPO