The Unlikely Conversion of Carlos Lehder, the Medellín Cartel’s Last‑Standing Narco

Carlos Lehder, a former leader of the Medellín Cartel, has undergone a religious conversion and expressed repentance for his past crimes.

Lehder, who was previously convicted for running a massive pirate operation and was sentenced to a life term plus 135 years, now views his arrest as an opportunity to seek forgiveness. According to a report by Johanna Duncan for Word on Fire, the former kingpin has turned his life around decades after his historic arrest.

The report notes that Lehder was a central figure in the Medellín Cartel, an organization that grew coca leaves and produced cocaine in hidden jungle laboratories to ship internationally. Lehder was also identified as a man who worked to bring the Nazi party to South America.