If you go back further, I believe it all can be traced to Pope Pius 12 and the ‘Rat Lines’ it was part of ‘Paper Clip’ in which the top Nazi Scientists were split between American 🇺🇸 and the USSR.
Claus Barbie was a Nazi involved in France 🇫🇷, he was moved to South American and helped create the cocaine market, I don’t believe he is your character in the book. However, whoever the character is in actuality, more than likely encountered Klaus Barbie.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/how-nazi-butcher-klaus-barbie-6828080https://www.dw.com/en/the-ratlines-what-did-the-vatican-know-about-nazi-escape-routes/a-52555068
