Victor Patiño-Fomeque

Patiño was responsible for ensuring the security and effectiveness of the Cali Cartel's maritime operations of drug shipments.

[1] Patiño was once a Colombian policeman and was recruited later by Gilberto and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela, leaders of the Cali Cartel, to be their bodyguard.

[2] On October 7, 2005, Patiño and his mother testified in the United States and accused a prominent Colombian politician named Vicente Blel of being one of his major nominees.

Blel responded that he indeed had met with Patiño, thinking it was in fact Gomez, the businessman, and had collaborated with him several times, even helping him to put properties under his name and with numerous other favors.

[3] However, since he decided to testify in the United States, he saw at least 35 family members and friends slaughtered in retaliation for his betrayal.