North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il Dies
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack, state media reported on December 19, sparking concern over who is in real control of the nuclear renegade state as his untested youngest son takes over the family dynasty.
Carlos the Jackal Sentenced To Life In Prison
On December 16th, a French court sentenced the notorious Venezuelan militant known as Carlos the Jackal to life in prison, with a minimum of 18 years before parole, for four deadly attacks in France in the 1980s.
Lebanese Man Accused of Acting as Liaison between Colombian and Mexican Cartels
The U.S. Government filed charges before a judge in Virginia against Ayman Joumaa, alias “Junior,” a Lebanese businessman who facilitated the transport of tons of cocaine and laundered money for Mexican and Colombian cartels.
Spanish, Italian Police Smash Cocaine Smuggling Ring
Spanish and Italian police made five arrests while busting a drug-trafficking ring that for years smuggled cocaine from South America to Europe, investigators said December 9.
Al-Qaida Is Cornered
Osama bin Laden’s death has caused the al-Qaida network to decline in a way that will be “difficult to reverse,” a high-ranking U.S. official said.
Spain Dismantles Colombian Cartel’s Extortion Affiliate
The chief collection and extortion affiliate of the Colombian Envigado cartel has been dismantled in Madrid, and nine people have been arrested, the Spanish National Police announced on December 5.
Malian Guilty Of Drug-Running For Al-Qaeda, FARC
A Malian man faces up to 15 years in jail after pleading guilty to trafficking cocaine to fund the activities of Al-Qaeda and FARC guerrilla fighters in Colombia, US prosecutors said.
Former ETA Leader Sentenced to 105 Years in Prison
Former ETA military chief Javier García Gaztelu, alias “Txapote,” has been sentenced to 105 years in prison for the murder of a politician and his bodyguard in 2000, in the first verdict of this kind handed down since the Basque armed separatist organization renounced violence.

