Diego Murillo Bejarano

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Diego Fernando Murillo Bejarano, also known as Don Berna or Adolfo Paz, is a former leader of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia paramilitary group operating in Colombia. He started working for the Medellín Cartel, where he would get promoted to be head of the militia wing. After internal Vendettas he became one of Pablo Escobar's many enemies and became part of the Los Pepes organization headed by the Castaño brothers; Carlos and Fidel and which also controlled a very powerful and bloodthirsty gang of hitmen named La Terraza (The Terrace). He then commanded two paramilitary blocs, the Cacique Nutivara Bloc and the Granada Heroes Bloc.

He became third in the chain of command of the AUC and an a key player during the peace process in Santa Fe de Ralito, Cordoba between his organization and the government of Colombia, until he was accused by a court of being responsible for the death of a Deputy. He then escaped from Santa Fe de Ralito and surrendered to authorities four days later.

1 Extradition to the United States
2 Notes
3 See also:
4 External links

[edit] Extradition to the United States

In the early morning of May 13, 2008, Murillo Bejarano and thirteen other paramilitary leaders were taken from their jail cells in a surprise action by the Colombian government. According to Colombian Interior Minister Carlos Holguin they have been refusing to comply to the country's Peace and Justice law and are therefore extradited to the United States.^[1] The day after, 'Don Berna' pleaded not guilty of money laundering and drug trafficking, of which he is charged by the New York State Prosecution. The judge ruled the official trial will begin on September 16, 2008.^[2]