Juan Carlos Castillo Vaca is Wanted in Colombia for Homicide and Extortion but is Currently Being Held in Panama.
The National Migration Service (SNM) confirmed the true identity of a Colombian citizen who was being held in custody at the Migration Administrative Detention Center. The individual, who was listed in local records under the false name of Gabriel Ángel Lozano Verona, had been transferred from the province of Darién and recently completed a 48-month prison sentence in Panamanian territory for the crime of money laundering, which is why he was referred to the immigration shelter for the corresponding procedure.
During his stay at the administrative facility, and as part of institutional security protocols, SNM inspectors maintained a direct exchange of information and data verification with Interpol headquarters and the authorities of the Republic of Colombia. Through this international cooperation analysis, it was determined that his true identity corresponds to Juan Carlos Castillo Vaca, known by the alias “D-Max,” who was attempting to evade immigration and international controls after his release from prison, the institution reported.
The checks confirmed that Castillo Vaca has an outstanding arrest warrant in his country of origin for prison escape, as well as a 500-month prison sentence in Colombia for his involvement with a criminal organization in the Valle del Cauca department. This criminal organization is being prosecuted for crimes against public safety, homicide, and extortion, and is also linked to a targeted killing carried out with high-caliber weapons on August 28, 2025, in the El Retiro neighborhood. After confirming his high level of dangerousness and his international criminal record, the citizen was transferred to the facilities of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) to continue with the corresponding legal and extradition or deportation procedures, the statement concludes.
