Colombia extradites rebel 'Sonia'

By Jeremy McDermott
BBC, Colombia

Farc fears Sonia will reveal details of their finance system

Colombia has extradited a top rebel leader and one of the most senior women in the movement to face drugs trafficking charges in the US.

Omaira Rojas Cabrera, known as Sonia, is accused of running a large drug trafficking ring for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Sonia has taken what will most likely be a one way trip to the US.

The senior Farc commander is accused of running a network that earned the guerrillas tens of millions of dollars.

Sonia was captured in February last year, in a raid by elite Colombian troops.

Found with her were seized documents and a laptop computer that provided much of the evidence that will be used against her in court.

Sonia's extradition is a heavy blow to the Farc.

Not only have they lost one of their top female commanders, but they fear that under pressure from US authorities and facing a sentence of more than 20 years in prison she may reveal crucial information about their finance system.