Exclusive: Shocking Twist Revealed in Case of Famed Singer-Activist Victor Jara's Killer - Chilean National Arrested After US Citizenship Revoked!

ICE announced on Tuesday that Pedro Barrientos, a Chilean national wanted in his home country for the murder of leftist singer-songwriter Victor Jara 50 years ago, is now in custody in Florida. Barrientos was apprehended during a traffic stop in Deltona, Florida last week.

Charges brought in Chilean singer's death, 39 years later

Barrientos, a former military officer, was charged by a Chilean judge in 2012 in the brutal 1973 killing of Jara.

"John Condon, a special agent with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations Tampa division, stated on Tuesday that Barrientos will be held accountable for the charges he is currently facing in Chile regarding his participation in acts of torture and extrajudicial killing of Chilean citizens."

CNN has contacted Barrientos' legal representatives for their response.

Jara, a communist sympathizer, was among the first victims of Chiles military coup and dictatorship in 1973. His body was found with 44 bullet wounds and signs of torture.

Chilean singer Victor Jara was tortured and killed during the country's military dictatorship in 1973.

Reuters/File

ICE stated that on September 11, 1973, General Augusto Pinochet orchestrated a brutal coup against Salvador Allende, who had been democratically elected as the president of Chile. During the subsequent weeks, numerous individuals were apprehended and subjected to torture at Chile Stadium, which the military had converted into an unofficial detention facility. Tragically, a considerable number of people vanished or were executed, with Victor Jara, a well-known folk musician, being among the most prominent victims.

Demonstrators carry a flag with Victor Jara's image during a protest against the Chilean government in January 2020.

Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images

Barrientos later came to the US in 1990 and overstayed his visa, according to court documents, but was able to obtain US citizenship after marrying an American.

In 2016, Barrientos was held accountable for Jaras' death by a civil jury in Florida. Furthermore, they determined him liable for $28 million in damages to Jaras' bereaved family members.

As of this summer, Barrientos' citizenship was revoked due to the discovery that he had provided false information in his citizenship application. Specifically, he failed to disclose his affiliation with Pinochet's regime.

CNNs Mariano Castillo and Holly Yan contributed to this report.