Venezuela has handed over a leftist rebel chief to Colombia, in the first such extradition after the kidnapping of a Colombian rebel in Venezuelan territory last year that brought relations between the two countries near to the breaking point, dpa reported. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) chief Jose Martinez Vegas, "Chiguiro" was handed over Monday to Colombian officials in the Venezuelan city of San Antonio. From there he was taken to the Colombian city of Cucuta, on the northwestern border. Martinez Vega was flown to Bogota and was awaiting interrogation by police, a spokesperson said. Venezuela's Supreme Court had approved the FARC rebel's extradition on April 12, after he was arrested in February in an anti-kidnapping operation. The mother of Major League baseball player Ugueth Urbina was freed after nearly six months in captivity. --More 2326 Local Time 2026 GMT
