Founder |
 Jose Orlando Henao Montoya (1995's-1998) |
The architect of the Norte del Valle cartel. Jose Orlando ranked as the undisputed leader of the cartel until his voluntary surrender to Columbian authorities to face charges in relation to illicit enrichment and money laundering charges in September 1997. 14 months later Jose Orlando was shot to death in the maximum-security wing of Bogota's Modelo Prison. Prior to his death Henao-Montoya's group was well on its way to supplanting the Medellin and Cali cartels as the most dominate Columbian trafficking organization. As respected for its ability to move huge amounts of cocaine, launder vast sums of illicit cash and enforce territorial boundrys through a capable team of enforcers supplied by a brutal paramilitary organization run by Carlos Castano. |
President |
 Diego Leon Henao Montoya (1998-2007) |
Seized control and ruthlessly operated the Norte del Valle cartel upon the demise of cousin Jose Orlando in November 1998. Montoya cautiously expanded the Norte del Valle organization around a core of trusted family members who served as lieutenants and decision makers. "Don Diego's" grip over the organization slipped somewhat after a rival faction headed by Wilber Varela threatened to breakaway over disputed territory and a proposed plan for cartel leaders to surrender to Columbian authorities. A bloody battle ensued as both sides employed paramilitary gunmen as hitmen and enforcers. After a nearly two year struggle, both sides have agreed to lay down arms and once again focus on business operations. Don Diego is listed among the FBI's most wanted and has appeared twice on America's Most Wanted weekly profiles. |
 Eugenio "Don Hugo" Henao Montoya (2007) |
Stepped in to fill the void left by his brother Diego's 2007 arrest. Eugenio is not thought of in the same terms as his brother and some of the lower ranking cartel members. His power stems from his loyalty to his brother. He is probably the most familiar with the process of money laundering employed by the network. |
 Gildardo "The Shirt" Rodriquez-Hererra (2007-2008) |
"The Man of the red shirt," emerged as the leader of "Don Diego's" faction upon the arrest and subsequent extradition of the notorious trafficker in 2007. Authorities report that Gildardo's contacts among emerging underworld groups and the Farc made him the most important second tier leader to emerge in the aftermath of the government crackdowns which removed the various faction leaders over the past year. Law enforcement agents swooped down on Hererra as he slept at a ranch near Bogota in May 2008. Gildardo is expected to become the third Norte del Valle leader to be extradited to the U.S., in 8 months later this year. |
Vice President |
 Arcangel de Jesus Henao Montoya (1998-2004) |
Served as surrogate leader upon the surrender of his brother in September 1997. Arcangel began promoting a trusted team of lieutenants comprised of blood relatives. This group "which included the Montoya and Grajales brothers," formed the brain trust of the Norte del Valle cartel upon the death of Jose Orlando in November 1998. Arcangel's arrest in the southern Panamanian city of Torti in January 2004, removed the Norte del Valle's number two man. Arcangel's seizure came shortly after an offer was issued from Diego Leon Montoya which promised the surrender of top cartel leaders in exchange for a guarantee that they would not be extradited to the U.S., to face charges in relation to their illicit enterprise. |
