Return to Colombia

Upon returning to Colombia, Lehder resumed business and gifted a Piper PA-31 Navajo to the government of Quindío. This gift drew official attention. He became a bohemian in Quindío, displaying immense wealth. In 1982, after Belisario Betancur was elected, Lehder used a patrimonial amnesty to legalize his assets.

He founded the Movimiento Cívico Latino Nacional, advocating against US extradition, anti-communism, and Latin American nationalism. US authorities began investigating him, and the Supreme Court of Justice authorized his extradition, although the order still had to be signed by President Betancur.