Rafael Alvarez Piñeda, alias 'Chepe,' remains an ally of another of the Paisas leaders Cesar A. Torres, even as other sub-lieutenants have chosen to break away from the Paisas in favor of partnerships with other groups. Alvarez also got his start alongside Torres in the Mineros Bloc under the command of Ramiro Vanoy, alias 'Cuco,' who is jailed in the United States for drug trafficking. But Alvarez did not stay loyal to his former AUC commander, and reportedly masterminded the kidnapping of four of Vanoy’s sons in December 2008, for which he allegedly collected $25 million in ransom. He is believed to reside either in Medellin or in the Lower Cauca region, in northeast Antioquia.