CARACAS, Venezuela, May 17 (UPI) -- Venezuela sent back to Colombia a leading leftist rebel leader, officials in Colombia's secret police and the Venezuelan Justice Ministry said.
Juan Jose Martinez, known as "El Chiguiro," was returned to Colombia where he faces drug trafficking and terror charges, Globovision TV reported Tuesday.
Monday's return of Martinez marks the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of rebels and neighbors Venezuela and Colombia.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe admitted in January to paying Venezuelan police to act as bounty hunters to nab leftist rebel leader Rodrigo Grande in Caracas.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was outraged calling the move "a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty" and demanded an apology. When he received none, he cut political and economic ties, putting billions of dollars in trade and a future gas pipeline connecting the countries in jeopardy.
A month later the leaders came to terms and ties between the nations were restored.
