$5 Million Reward Backs Global Hunt for ELN Leader Wilver Villegas-Palomino
FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive
Wilver Villegas-Palomino is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in narcoterrorism and international cocaine trafficking connected to Colombia’s National Liberation Army, commonly known by its Spanish abbreviation, ELN. Federal authorities identify him as a ranking member of the organization who has allegedly overseen drug trafficking operations for the ELN’s Northeastern War Front in the Catatumbo region of Colombia and neighboring Venezuela.
The U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Villegas-Palomino’s arrest and/or conviction. The FBI warns that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Villegas-Palomino remains on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He was added on April 14, 2023, becoming the 530th person placed on the list since the program began in 1950.
Ranking Member of the ELN
Federal authorities describe Villegas-Palomino as a ranking member of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, or National Liberation Army. The FBI has identified the ELN as both a transnational criminal organization and a foreign terrorist organization.
According to information released by the U.S. Department of State, Villegas-Palomino has been a high-ranking ELN member since approximately 2000. Authorities have described him as the chief of drug trafficking for the ELN Northeastern War Front.
His alleged position places him within a regional command structure responsible for activities in the Catatumbo area, a region near the Colombia-Venezuela border that has long presented significant challenges for authorities attempting to combat narcotics production and trafficking.
ELN Northeastern War Front
Villegas-Palomino is specifically associated with the ELN Northeastern War Front. According to federal authorities, the organization operates in the Catatumbo region of Colombia as well as areas of Venezuela.
The FBI has said Villegas-Palomino directs the Northeastern War Front, one of the ELN’s regional war fronts. His alleged responsibilities have included overseeing narcotics operations within territory controlled or influenced by the organization.
Federal investigators accuse him of using his leadership position to facilitate the production and distribution of cocaine while supporting the broader activities of the ELN.
Alleged Control of Drug Trafficking Operations
The U.S. Department of State has described Villegas-Palomino as an individual who oversees and approves drug trafficking within his area of control.
According to federal information concerning the case, Villegas-Palomino and subordinate ELN fronts have allegedly been responsible for overseeing the production and collection of coca base paste. Coca base is an intermediate product used in the production of cocaine.
Authorities also accuse the organization of operating or overseeing clandestine drug laboratories in the Catatumbo region of Colombia and Venezuela. These operations allegedly formed part of a larger system used to produce cocaine for international distribution.
Cocaine Production in the Catatumbo Region
The Catatumbo region is central to the allegations against Villegas-Palomino. Federal authorities accuse him and subordinate elements of the ELN of overseeing aspects of cocaine production in the region.
The alleged activities include the collection of coca base paste and clandestine processing operations. Once cocaine is produced, trafficking networks can move it through international routes toward consumer markets.
The federal investigation alleges that cocaine connected with Villegas-Palomino’s organization was ultimately intended for distribution in the United States.
Alleged 20-Year Cocaine Conspiracy
According to the State Department’s description of the federal case, Villegas-Palomino and his co-defendants were accused of participating in an ongoing conspiracy spanning approximately 20 years.
Federal prosecutors allege that the conspiracy involved distributing cocaine from Colombia to the United States while knowing or intending that proceeds would provide financial support to the ELN.
This allegation is central to the narcoterrorism charge against Villegas-Palomino. The federal case therefore involves more than conventional narcotics trafficking allegations and connects the alleged drug operation with financial support for the ELN.
Drug Proceeds Allegedly Used to Support ELN Activities
Federal authorities allege that proceeds generated through narcotics trafficking were used to support the ELN’s activities.
According to information previously released by the Department of State, Villegas-Palomino allegedly channeled drug trafficking proceeds to the ELN Central Command in Venezuela. Authorities allege those funds supported the organization’s terrorist and political activities.
The accusations provide the basis for the narcoterrorism component of the federal prosecution. Prosecutors are not merely alleging that Villegas-Palomino participated in cocaine trafficking but that the trafficking was connected to financial support for the ELN.
Federal Indictment in Texas
Villegas-Palomino was charged in a federal indictment in the Southern District of Texas. According to Department of State information, the indictment was filed on February 12, 2020.
The following day, February 13, 2020, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Villegas-Palomino through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
Because Villegas-Palomino remains outside U.S. custody, authorities continue seeking his arrest so he can be brought before the federal court to answer the charges.
Narco-Terrorism Charge
One of the most serious charges against Villegas-Palomino is narcoterrorism. Federal prosecutors use narcoterrorism statutes in cases where drug trafficking is alleged to provide financial or other support to terrorist activity or designated organizations under circumstances covered by federal law.
In Villegas-Palomino’s case, prosecutors allege that the cocaine operation provided financial support to the ELN.
The narcoterrorism charge distinguishes the case from a conventional international cocaine trafficking prosecution and reflects the alleged connection between narcotics proceeds and the activities of the ELN.
International Cocaine Distribution Charges
Villegas-Palomino is also charged with international cocaine distribution conspiracy and international cocaine distribution.
These charges concern the alleged production and movement of cocaine from South America toward the United States. Federal prosecutors accuse Villegas-Palomino and his alleged co-conspirators of participating in an international trafficking operation over an extended period.
The charges remain allegations. Villegas-Palomino has not been convicted in connection with the outstanding federal case, and the accusations must be established through the judicial process.
Added to FBI Ten Most Wanted List
On April 14, 2023, the FBI announced that Villegas-Palomino had been added to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He became the 530th fugitive selected for the program.
His addition substantially increased publicity surrounding the international search. The FBI uses the Ten Most Wanted program to bring widespread public attention to fugitives accused of serious crimes who have proven difficult to apprehend.
The Bureau continues distributing Villegas-Palomino’s photographs, aliases, physical description, charges, reward information, and warning to generate potential leads.
FBI Description of Wilver Villegas-Palomino
According to the FBI, Villegas-Palomino was born on October 21, 1981, in Curumani, Colombia. He is a Colombian national and speaks Spanish.
The FBI describes him as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. His height is listed as approximately 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches, and his weight is approximately 190 pounds.
Because several years have passed since the federal warrant was issued, his present appearance could differ from the photographs released by authorities. Changes in weight, hairstyle, facial hair, clothing, or other characteristics should therefore be considered when evaluating a possible sighting.
Known as “Carlos El Puerco”
The FBI lists several aliases associated with Villegas-Palomino. They include Carlos El Puerco, El Puerco, Wilver Villegas, and Wilver Palomino.
These alternate names may be especially important because individuals involved in criminal or armed organizations can be known by nicknames or shortened names rather than their complete legal identity.
Someone who has encountered a person known as “Carlos El Puerco” or “El Puerco” may therefore possess information relevant to the investigation even if they were previously unfamiliar with the name Wilver Villegas-Palomino.
FBI Warns He Is Armed and Dangerous
The FBI states that Villegas-Palomino should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who believes they have located or encountered him should not attempt to approach, follow, confront, detain, or apprehend him.
Possible sightings should instead be reported directly to law enforcement. Trained investigators can evaluate the information and determine how to respond without unnecessarily placing members of the public in danger.
Details concerning a location, residence, vehicle, associates, telephone numbers, travel, employment, or other identifying information could potentially help authorities investigate a lead.
Information About Associates Could Be Important
Investigators may also be interested in information concerning individuals who maintain contact with Villegas-Palomino.
Associates can potentially provide links to residences, transportation, communications, financial resources, or other support networks. Information concerning those connections can sometimes help investigators locate a fugitive even when no recent direct sighting is available.
Members of the public should not independently investigate suspected associates. Information should instead be provided to authorities so investigators can determine its relevance and take appropriate action.
Historical Information May Still Help
Because Villegas-Palomino has remained outside federal custody for years, information about previous sightings can still potentially assist investigators.
An older sighting may establish that he was in a particular region at a particular time. That information could lead investigators to associates, residences, vehicles, telephone records, financial activity, or travel information that produces more recent leads.
Individuals should therefore not assume information is useless simply because it is several months or years old. Federal investigators can compare historical tips with other evidence and determine whether they contribute to the larger investigation.
FBI Houston Leads the Fugitive Case
The FBI’s Houston Field Office is responsible for Villegas-Palomino’s wanted case. The connection to Houston reflects the prosecution in the Southern District of Texas, where the federal charges were filed.
The international nature of the case means information could come from people in Colombia, Venezuela, the United States, or elsewhere. The FBI continues seeking assistance from anyone who has credible knowledge concerning Villegas-Palomino’s location or activities.
Individuals outside the United States may contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to provide information.
Dedicated FBI Tip Contact
The FBI currently provides a dedicated WhatsApp contact for information concerning Villegas-Palomino. Individuals with information can contact investigators at 281-630-0330 through WhatsApp. The FBI notes that WhatsApp is neither operated nor controlled by the U.S. government.
Information can also be submitted through the FBI’s official online tip system or provided through a local FBI field office.
People reporting a possible sighting should provide as much specific information as possible, including where and when the person was observed, identifying characteristics, associates, vehicles, and other relevant details.
State Department Narcotics Rewards Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering up to $5 million for information leading to Villegas-Palomino’s arrest and/or conviction.
The Narcotics Rewards Program was established to help the U.S. government identify and bring major international narcotics traffickers to justice. The program is administered by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in coordination with federal law-enforcement agencies.
The Department of State first publicly announced the reward for Villegas-Palomino in September 2020, several months after the federal indictment and arrest warrant.
$5 Million Reward Remains Available
The reward provides a substantial incentive for individuals with actionable information concerning Villegas-Palomino to come forward.
Information that helps establish his current location could be especially significant, but details concerning previous residences, associates, transportation, communications, aliases, or other connections could also assist the broader investigation.
The FBI continues emphasizing that Villegas-Palomino should be considered armed and dangerous. The possibility of receiving a reward should never lead anyone to attempt to locate or apprehend him independently.
International Search Continues
Wilver Villegas-Palomino remains the subject of a major international fugitive investigation involving allegations of narcoterrorism and cocaine trafficking connected to the ELN’s Northeastern War Front.
More than six years have passed since the federal arrest warrant was issued in February 2020, and he has been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since April 2023. Federal authorities continue seeking information from anyone who may know where he is located or who can provide details about his activities and associates.
The Department of State reward of up to $5 million remains available for qualifying information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. The charges against Villegas-Palomino remain allegations unless and until proven in court.
Sources
FBI — Wilver Villegas-Palomino Ten Most Wanted Profile
FBI — Villegas-Palomino Added to Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List
U.S. Department of State — Wilver Villegas-Palomino Narcotics Rewards Profile
